Off-grid site report
Livingston County, MI
42.5814, -83.8752 · 1,020 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Livingston 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 rulesLivingston County, MI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyLivingston County has no countywide zoning code; all 8 townships have their own zoning ordinances, and the county Planning Department mainly reviews township zoning/master-plan changes under state law. Contact the specific township's Zoning Administrator for actual rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyTiny home and RV occupancy rules (including long-term camper living) are set by each township, not the county. Not confirmed at the county level, so check with the local Zoning Administrator. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedState law (MCL 125.1513) requires a certificate of occupancy before any structure is used, and the Livingston County Building Department issues permits and inspections for most townships, except the City of Howell and Green Oak Township, which handle their own. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic systems must be permitted and installed per the Livingston County Sanitary Code, with a soil evaluation required before permit application; the county's Environmental Health Division inspects installations. Composting toilets are not separately addressed, so confirm with the health department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Livingston County-specific greywater rule was found; the state plumbing code administered by LARA likely applies by default. Confirm with the county Building Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; state plumbing code provisions likely apply by default. Confirm with the county Building Department.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and administered by the Livingston County Health Department's Environmental Health Division, which tracks water quality/quantity issues and recommends annual bacteria testing. Well and septic permits must be applied for together if both are being installed. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit county ban on disconnecting from utilities exists, but an approved septic permit must be on file with the building department before a certificate of occupancy is issued, and state law requires that certificate before legal occupancy. This effectively ties off-grid living to the permitting process. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,287 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 32 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 32 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,812 (cold)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Providence Park Hospital - 19.2 mi
- Fire station
Howell Area Fire Department - 4.2 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 4.7 mi
- Grocery
VG's - 5.0 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 48844).
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.