Off-grid site report
Dane County, WI
43.2505, -89.5015 · 1,066 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Dane County, WI, 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 rulesDane County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyDane County Planning & Development administers countywide zoning in unincorporated towns, each with its own Zoning Inspector, but villages and cities like the Village of Dane run independent zoning departments. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyState code allows tiny houses on permanent foundations if they meet building and zoning code; a town Zoning Permit is required before a Building Permit, but specific size caps or RV/tiny-house-on-wheels rules are not confirmed countywide and vary by town. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedTowns issue building permits under the state Uniform Dwelling Code, but a Zoning Permit and possibly other county agency sign-offs must come first.
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedPublic Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) permits and inspects septic systems under state POWTS code (SPS 383) and the county's private sewage ordinance, requiring a certified soil test and a licensed designer. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Dane County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state DSPS plumbing code baseline appears to govern by default.
Rainwater harvesting
Varies locallyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; outdoor non-potable collection is generally unregulated under the state baseline while indoor/potable use falls under DSPS plumbing code.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPHMDC issues a required well location permit and a DNR well construction permit is also needed, usually handled by a licensed well professional; PHMDC also offers free PFAS testing for eligible private well owners.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Dane County, PHMDC, or town source directly addresses full disconnection from electric or gas utilities; occupancy generally still requires a compliant well and septic system, so confirm with your Town Building Inspector.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,353 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 36 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,403 (cold)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
American Family Children's Hospital - 12.5 mi
- Fire station
Dane Fire Department - 0.0 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 4.5 mi
- Grocery
Piggly Wiggly - 4.3 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 53529).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Dane County, WI?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.