Off-grid site report

Roseau County, MN

48.8483, -95.7625 · 1,040 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Roseau County, MN, 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 rulesRoseau County, MN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyRoseau County administers a Shoreland Management Ordinance for lakeshore/riverside property, but a general countywide zoning ordinance for raw rural land was not confirmed in official sources. The City of Roseau has its own separate zoning since 1975 within city limits. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo official Roseau County source addresses tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling size standards; this is not confirmed and should be asked about directly with county or township zoning.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyThe City of Roseau requires permits and uses the 2020 Minnesota Building Code, enforced by its Building Official. Whether Roseau County or townships outside city limits have adopted the State Building Code is not confirmed. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedMinnesota requires counties to run SSTS septic programs meeting state rules, and Roseau County actively administers one, including participation in a state BWSR grant for low-income septic upgrades. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Roseau County-specific greywater rule was found; this would typically be addressed inside the county's SSTS ordinance, which was not accessible for confirmation.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Roseau County rainwater catchment ordinance was found. Outdoor barrel collection is generally unregulated statewide, but county-specific confirmation is lacking.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed statewide by the Minnesota Department of Health Well Code, with Roseau County served by MDH's Bemidji district office. No additional county well ordinance was found. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Roseau County or township ordinance was found requiring or prohibiting grid disconnection; this is not confirmed and would likely appear in a general zoning ordinance if one exists.

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): 2.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,274 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 24 in/yr
Heating degree days: 10,027 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 16 to Sep 26

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Lifecare Medical Center: 0.7 mi
Fire station Roseau Fire Hall: 0.2 mi
Hardware store Scott's True Value: 0.1 mi
Grocery Super One Foods: 0.4 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 56751).

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.