Off-grid site report
Goochland County, VA
37.6961, -77.8979 · 335 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Goochland County, VA, 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 rulesGoochland County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyGoochland has countywide zoning under Zoning Ordinance Chapter 15; a second dwelling is allowed by-right on parcels 25+ acres, otherwise a Conditional Use Permit is required. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedManufactured homes, tiny houses, and RVs are each treated differently under the Zoning Code; structures under 256 sq ft don't need a building permit per county guidance, and ADUs are limited to relatives of the resident with an affidavit filed at the Circuit Court Clerk. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedGoochland's Department of Building Inspection enforces the state Uniform Statewide Building Code; a permit is needed for most construction, alteration, or occupancy changes. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Goochland Health Department (a Virginia Department of Health office) approves septic permits, generally after a building permit application is on file; perk tests are largely done by private certified evaluators now. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Goochland-specific greywater rule was found; this appears to default to state VDH regulations, so it's worth confirming directly with the Health Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rain barrels or catchment systems was found; this seems to defer to state VDH rules, not confirmed locally.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Goochland Health Department handles well permitting via sanitary survey, though the county's own pages list differing permit validity periods, so confirm current terms directly with them. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance mandates grid electric connection, and solar is a permitted accessory use in most districts, but new dwellings still need Health Department-approved water and sewage service before occupancy. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,333 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 42 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 11 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,311 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 22 to Oct 19
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Henrico Doctors' Hospital - 20.5 mi
- Fire station
Goochland County Fire & Rescue - Company 5 - 0.7 mi
- Hardware store
Lacy's Home Center - 1.1 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 0.7 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 23014).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Goochland County, VA?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.