Off-grid site report
Jackson County, CO
40.5825, -106.0445 · 9,269 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jackson County, CO, 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 rulesJackson County, CO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyJackson County has its own countywide Zoning Resolution and Zoning Map, administered by county planning, but district-level occupancy detail for raw parcels wasn't confirmed in the document reviewed. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Jackson County-specific rule on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; state baseline (tiny homes under 400 sq ft recognized, THOWs treated as RVs) applies until county planning confirms otherwise.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedJackson County has adopted the 2018 International Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Fire, and Maintenance codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code; plumbing permits go through the county, electrical through the state. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedOnsite wastewater systems under 2,000 gallons per day are permitted locally by Jackson County Public Health under the state's Regulation 43; county-specific standards and fees were not found and should be confirmed directly. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo evidence Jackson County has opted into a local greywater program as Colorado requires; assume not permitted until Jackson County Public Health confirms otherwise.
Rainwater harvesting
RestrictedNo county-specific rule found; the statewide limit of roughly 110 gallons across two rain barrels for most households applies by default.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWell permitting and water rights administration in Jackson County run entirely through the Colorado Division of Water Resources (State Engineer); no separate county well ordinance beyond standard state exempt-well rules was found. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo Jackson County ordinance requiring grid or municipal utility connection was found, so the state's default of no mandatory-connection law applies; confirm with building/planning regarding occupancy conditions.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,488 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 22 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 10,738 (severe)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center - 31.4 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
- none within range
- Grocery
North Park Super's - 16.9 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 80473).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Jackson County, CO?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 21, 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.