Off-grid site report
Routt County, CO
40.1544, -106.8977 · 7,874 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Routt 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 rulesRoutt County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedRoutt County has countywide zoning under its Unified Development Code, administered by the Planning Department, with 14 zone districts setting permitted uses, setbacks, and lot standards; towns like Steamboat Springs have their own separate codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyTiny homes on foundations need a standard building permit; tiny homes on wheels can instead be registered as RVs under state DMV rules, but Planning, sanitation, electric, and water authorities must all be contacted first per the county's tiny-home policy. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Routt County Regional Building Department handles all building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas, and solar permits countywide, including in-town parcels; a foundation-only permit exists but generally needs septic, well, and Planning approval first. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedEnvironmental Health issues OWTS permits under the state's Regulation 43, and as of 2025 requires local registration of OWTS installers and inspectors; composting toilets aren't clearly addressed, so ask Environmental Health directly. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedColorado's greywater program is opt-in for local jurisdictions, and Routt County has not adopted an ordinance allowing greywater reuse, so it isn't currently authorized here. source
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedNo Routt-specific rainwater ordinance was found; the statewide Division of Water Resources rule applies, allowing rain barrels up to a combined 110 gallons without a permit, with larger rooftop collection possible only under a permit tied to an exempt well. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedA State Engineer well permit from the Colorado Division of Water Resources is required before drilling, and some rural Routt subdivisions have faced added scrutiny due to over-appropriation in the Yampa and Elk River basins. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo blanket rule requiring grid connection was found, and accessory solar is allowed by right in all zoning districts, but each off-grid system (septic, well, building) still needs its own county permit. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,457 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 17 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 129 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 9,423 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- Jun 13 to Sep 12
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Yampa Valley Medical Center - 21.8 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
ACE Hardware - 24.1 mi
- Grocery
City Market - 21.7 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 80483).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Routt 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 22, 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.