Off-grid site report

Greenbrier County, WV

37.7858, -80.3081 · 1,942 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Greenbrier County, WV, 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 rulesGreenbrier County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyLess than ten percent of Greenbrier County land is under zoning per the county's own draft ordinance materials; where it applies, it's administered by the County Commission and Planning Commission under WV Chapter 8A. Incorporated towns like Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs, and Rainelle may run separate zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-wide rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy duration was found; the building code manual's broad definition of 'structure' includes RVs used as full or part-time dwellings, implying permitting may apply. Confirm specifics with the Planning & Permits Office. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedGreenbrier County has adopted the State Building Code and requires a permit for all construction, improvements, or demolition of any structure countywide, administered through the Planning & Permits Office via Cloudpermit. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Greenbrier County Health Department's Environmental Health division approves and inspects all septic systems per statewide design rule 64 CSR 47; homeowners may self-install a Class I system after passing a test at the health department. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater rule was found; it is presumably handled within the same septic design-approval process, but this is not confirmed locally, so ask the county Health Department directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department guidance addresses rainwater harvesting; the state's general unregulated approach to non-potable rainwater use appears to apply by default, but this is not explicitly confirmed for Greenbrier County.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells require a permit from the Greenbrier County Health Department and must be drilled by a state-certified driller, with an in-person site visit prior to approval; this mirrors the statewide well permitting rule.

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo county ordinance mandates connecting to public utilities, but any permitted structure must show either public water/sewer documentation or approved well/septic permits before a building permit issues, effectively regulating off-grid living through the permitting process.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,290 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 39 in/yr
Snowfall: 18 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,690 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 5 to Oct 6

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Greenbrier Valley Medical Center: 8.9 mi
Fire station Glade Hill Fire Department: 8.8 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 7.2 mi
Grocery Food Lion: 1.8 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 24986).

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.