Off-grid site report

Barry County, MI

42.4819, -85.3666 · 919 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Barry County, MI, 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 rulesBarry County, MI

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyBarry County Planning & Zoning Department administers zoning for unincorporated areas, but some townships and the City of Hastings may retain independent zoning authority, so confirm parcel-by-parcel. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyThe county zoning ordinance references temporary dwellings, farm worker housing, and emergency housing sections, but specific minimum dwelling size or RV occupancy rules aren't confirmed from available text. Ask Barry County Planning & Zoning directly.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyBuilding permit enforcement is split between the county building department and individual town/city halls, so confirm jurisdiction with your specific township or city.
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedBarry-Eaton District Health Department requires approved individual sewage systems for plumbing fixtures unless public sewer is within 200 feet, and composting toilets/privies must meet a state privy standard and are barred where public sewer exists. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Barry County or BEDHD-specific greywater reuse ordinance was found; BEDHD forms note certain discharges (like water softener or sump pump water) can't go to the septic system, but state plumbing code is the default baseline. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Barry County or BEDHD page on rainwater harvesting was found; the Michigan state plumbing code baseline would apply by default.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedBEDHD evaluates sites, issues well permits, and does a final review, plus a sanitary survey every five years for Type II wells; high-capacity wells (70+ gpm) require the owner to run Michigan EGLE's Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedPer BEDHD's Sanitary Code, occupancy cannot begin until the health department approves the water and wastewater system, and building permits generally can't proceed without a compliant sewage plan, which limits full off-grid disconnection. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,281 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
40 in/yr
Snowfall
50 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,177 (cold)
Frost-free season
May 2 to Oct 14

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Spectrum Health Pennock
11.7 mi
Fire station
Delton Fire Department
2.4 mi
Hardware store
Ace Hardware
4.3 mi
Grocery
Family Fare
2.5 mi

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 49046).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

Share or save this report:New report

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. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.