Off-grid site report

Crook County, OR

44.1630, -120.8147 · 3,642 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Crook County, OR, 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 rulesCrook County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyCrook County has countywide zoning under its Land Use Code (Title 18). Resource zones follow Oregon's statutory 80-acre EFU / 160-acre rangeland minimums, while rural residential zones (R-5, R-10, RR(M)-5) allow single-family dwellings by right. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedAn RV generally can't be lived in as a permanent dwelling if a permitted house already exists on the lot; stays are capped at 60 days in 90 in most residential zones unless a temporary use permit is obtained from Community Development. Manufactured homes over 15 years old at time of application are generally disallowed except by exception. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedCrook County's Building Department issues permits and inspections under Oregon's specialty codes via ePermitting. Off-grid solar systems over 25 KVA need electrical plan review, and the county's Solar Checklist can trigger structural review too. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe county administers its own onsite septic program under authority delegated by Oregon DEQ; since public sewer isn't available in rural areas, an approved septic system is the standard path and generally required before building. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Crook County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this likely falls under Oregon DEQ's statewide program by default. Confirm directly with the county's onsite septic office.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county code or planning page was found addressing rooftop rainwater catchment; Oregon's general state exemption for rainwater harvesting is presumed to apply, but this is not confirmed for Crook County specifically.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are regulated by the Oregon Water Resources Department, which requires a permit and bond for landowner-constructed wells unless the owner is a licensed well constructor. No Crook County-specific well ordinance was found, though local groundwater contamination concerns near Prineville have been reported in the media. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedThere's no blanket prohibition on living off-grid for power, and the county actively permits off-grid-style solar systems. However, building permits require an approved water supply and septic system, so full utility independence still has to clear those two county-required gates. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
5.0 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,423 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
11 in/yr
Snowfall
8 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,080 (cold)
Frost-free season
May 30 to Sep 16

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Saint Charles Prineville
9.3 mi
Fire station
Airport Fire Station
18.1 mi
Hardware store
Tightwads Building Supply
10.4 mi
Grocery
Grocery Outlet
9.8 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 97754).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.