Off-grid site report

Colfax County, NM

36.5967, -104.7383 · 6,168 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Colfax County, NM, 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 rulesColfax County, NM

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyColfax County has no single countywide zoning ordinance; zoning applies only via the joint Raton-Colfax County extraterritorial zone and incorporated towns. Elsewhere, land use is shaped by the county's Subdivision of Land Ordinance and Rural Addressing Ordinance, not a use-zoning code. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on tiny homes or long-term RV occupancy was found; unincorporated land likely defaults to state minimum codes, while towns like Angel Fire run their own building process. Confirm directly with the county. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyIn unincorporated areas without local enforcement, the state's Construction Industries Division issues building and trade permits; incorporated towns like Angel Fire run their own permitting under the 2015 NM and International Building Codes. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedNo distinct Colfax County septic ordinance was found; septic systems are permitted and regulated statewide by the New Mexico Environment Department's liquid waste program. source

Greywater reuse

Generally allowedNo county-specific greywater rule exists; the state NMED small-system greywater rule applies by default.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Colfax County restriction on rooftop rainwater harvesting was found; the state Office of the State Engineer's policy encourages it.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedNo county-specific well ordinance was found; wells and water rights are administered statewide through the Office of the State Engineer permitting system, and applicants should confirm the correct OSE district office. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo countywide ordinance requiring utility hookup was found; any such requirement would come from a municipality's code or a subdivision's private covenants rather than the county itself. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 6.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 5.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,788 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 15 in/yr
Snowfall: 24 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,034 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 15 to Oct 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Miners Colfax Medical Center: 24.6 mi
Fire station French Tract Fire Station 2: 10.5 mi
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Russell's One Stop Market: 11.8 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 87728).

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.