Off-grid site report

Emery County, UT

38.9235, -111.2481 · 6,257 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Emery County, UT, 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 rulesEmery County, UT

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedEmery County Planning & Zoning administers countywide zoning outside towns; much private land sits in a mining/grazing/recreation zone where the county's general plan discourages permanent residences, though recreational homes fit. Raw-land camping/camp-trailer living has been an active Planning Commission discussion topic. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedCounty building permit checklist requires dwellings to be at least 800 square feet, excluding most tiny homes and RVs from permanent use; manufactured homes have a separate permit packet.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedEmery County Building & Zoning enforces Utah's state-adopted 2021 IBC/IRC/IPC/IMC/IFGC, 2020 NEC, and 2021 IECC; unincorporated permits also require proof of land ownership (often 10+ acres for residential) and occupancy is barred until a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are issued. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic permitting is handled by the Southeast Utah Health Department, not the county, under state rule R317-4, including a percolation test and design review; composting toilets are not separately addressed, so ask SEUHD. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Emery County-specific greywater rule was found; the county defers to the state R317-401 framework administered through SEUHD's onsite wastewater program. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance modifies the state rainwater harvesting statute, so Utah's generally permissive state rule applies.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedPrivate wells require a water right and Start Card from the Utah Division of Water Rights (State Engineer); the Emery Water Conservancy District manages local irrigation/culinary water supply. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo explicit Emery County rule was found on whether a Certificate of Occupancy requires grid hookups versus an approved off-grid well/septic setup; confirm directly with Building & Zoning.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 6.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 4.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,745 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 14 in/yr
Snowfall: 70 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,189 (severe)
Frost-free season: Jun 2 to Sep 26

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Gunnison Valley Hospital: 34.5 mi
Fire station Ferron City Fire Station: 13.1 mi
Hardware store Castle Valley Supply: 13.1 mi
Grocery Stewarts Grocery Store: 23.6 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 84522).

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