Off-grid site report

Macomb County, MI

42.5714, -82.9255 · 604 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Macomb County, MI, 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 rulesMacomb County, MI

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMacomb County has no countywide zoning ordinance. Zoning authority belongs to each city and township under the state's Zoning Enabling Act, and the county's Planning & Economic Development department only helps local units with master plan reviews. You need to check with your specific township or city, like Macomb Township's Planning Department, for permitted uses and lot rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-level rule on tiny homes or RV dwelling was found; this is set by each township or city building and zoning code. Macomb Township, for example, requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance before any structure or premises can be occupied or changed, so check with your local building department before assuming a tiny home or RV can be a legal residence. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding permits are issued and inspected by each city or township, not by Macomb County itself. The county's own Department of Roads only issues permits for work within county road rights-of-way, like driveway approaches, not general building permits. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Macomb County Health Department enforces a countywide onsite sewage regulation that applies in full force across all of Macomb County. A septic permit from the health department is required before a building permit can be issued, construction ahead of that permit is a violation, and no deviations from the reserve drainfield area requirement are allowed. Composting toilets aren't addressed on any official county page I found, so treat that as unconfirmed and ask MCHD directly. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo standalone county greywater program was found. The county's sewage regulation defines sanitary sewage broadly enough to include wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry, which suggests greywater has to go to an approved septic or sewer system rather than being reused freely on site, though this isn't spelled out as its own rule. Confirm any greywater reuse plan with the Macomb County Health Department before building anything.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedI didn't find any Macomb County ordinance restricting rainwater collection. This appears to fall back on Michigan's state-level rules, which allow it and govern indoor non-potable use through the state plumbing code, but I couldn't confirm whether the county or your township layers on anything additional.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedPrivate wells fall under Macomb County Health Department jurisdiction countywide, and a significant share of county residents rely on well water. A permit request requires a digital site plan, and new wells must meet the state's Well Construction Code (Rule 122) separation distances from contamination sources, reviewed locally by MCHD, with water samples processed at the Michigan EGLE Drinking Water lab.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyThere's no explicit Macomb County ban on disconnecting from utilities, but the county's sewage rule prohibits discharging raw sewage anywhere except a public sewer or a functioning onsite septic system, and townships require a Certificate of Zoning Compliance before occupancy. In practice, that combination makes full off-grid water and waste disconnection hard to do legally without an approved septic and well setup. Ask the Macomb County Health Department and your local building department directly before making plans.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.3 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,283 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
32 in/yr
Snowfall
32 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,768 (cold)
Frost-free season
Apr 30 to Oct 17

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
none within range
Fire station
Fraser Department of Public Safety Fire Division
2.6 mi
Hardware store
Great Lakes Ace Hardware
4.1 mi
Grocery
Al-Aqsa Supermarket Michigan
5.4 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 48035).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.