Off-grid site report
Bent County, CO
37.9461, -103.1847 · 4,200 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Bent County, CO, 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 rulesBent County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedBent County has adopted its own countywide zoning through a Planning and Zoning Manual, including PUD standards requiring a 20-acre minimum and public water/sewer availability. Confirm permitted uses for your parcel with the county Land Use Administrator.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Bent County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV permanent occupancy was found; the state baseline treats RVs/THOWs as non-permanent dwellings unless the county says otherwise. Ask the county Land Use office directly.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyBent County issues its own building permits, but the adopted code edition, fees, and owner-builder self-permit policy are not confirmed from an official county page. Contact the county building department. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedBent County Public Health permits and enforces on-site wastewater systems under the state's Regulation 43 framework; lots generally need at least 21,000 sq ft, and septic is prohibited on certain land near Hasty due to a high water table. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo confirmed Bent County greywater reuse program was found; the state requires counties to opt in, so absent confirmation, treat greywater reuse as not locally authorized beyond the state default.
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedNo Bent County-specific rainwater ordinance was found, so the statewide default limited collection rule (generally around 110 gallons across two barrels) applies.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWell permitting anywhere in Colorado, including Bent County, is handled by the state Division of Water Resources, not the county. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo Bent County ordinance mandating grid or municipal water connection was found; going off-grid with solar or hauled water appears permissible, subject to related building/septic permitting.
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
- 1,727 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 14 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 19 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,170 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 28 to Oct 10
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center - 20.0 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Big R Store - 22.0 mi
- Grocery
Thaxton's Market - 8.9 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 81054).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Bent County, CO?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.