Off-grid site report

Middlesex County, MA

42.5065, -71.0728 · 105 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Middlesex County, MA, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.

The local rulesMiddlesex County, MA (state framework; no county page yet)

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMassachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A lets each city and town adopt its own zoning bylaw or ordinance; the state only limits what towns can regulate (e.g., they can't override state building code construction standards). Raw-land use rules vary completely by town. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe state building code (780 CMR, based on the IRC) includes Appendix AQ for tiny houses 400 sq ft or less, giving them a compliance path; RV/tiny-house-on-wheels occupancy as a permanent residence is decided by local zoning departments, not the state.

Building permits & codes

Restricted780 CMR is the statewide building code, and MGL Chapter 142A generally requires a registered contractor, though homeowners can seek an owner-builder exemption from their local Building Official. Permits are issued and enforced locally. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedTitle 5 (310 CMR 15.000), administered by MassDEP, governs on-site sewage system siting, construction, and maintenance statewide; composting toilets are approved for general use but require a Disposal System Construction Permit from the local Board of Health. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedGreywater discharge is regulated within Title 5 and generally still requires a septic tank and soil absorption system meeting state design standards unless a variance for an alternative technology is approved through the local Board of Health and MassDEP's regional office. source

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo dedicated state statute setting rainwater harvesting capacity limits or permits was found; the state Uniform Plumbing Code (248 CMR 10) governs any connections into household plumbing systems generally. Confirm with your town for any local health rules. source

Private wells & water rights

Varies locallyLocal Boards of Health hold primary jurisdiction over private well siting, construction, and water quality under MGL Chapter 111, Section 122; the state's role is limited to requiring that only Massachusetts Registered Well Drillers install wells. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo state statute explicitly bans disconnecting from grid electricity or municipal water/sewer; in practice, local building departments typically require an approved water supply and Title 5-compliant wastewater system before issuing occupancy approval, making this a town-level determination. Not confirmed as a state-level rule either way.

Open the full state page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,337 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 51 in/yr
Snowfall: 58 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,315 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 30 to Oct 12

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Floating Hospital for Children: 10.8 mi
Fire station Wakefield Fire Department: 1.7 mi
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery: none within range

From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.

Plan this spot

These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 01880).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.