Off-grid site report
Bayfield County, WI
46.6733, -90.8949 · 682 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Bayfield County, WI, 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 rulesBayfield County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedBayfield County administers a comprehensive zoning ordinance (Title 13) through its Planning and Zoning Department, requiring a land use permit before most construction or occupancy. The ordinance is being rewritten, and towns will later be able to adopt the new version or their own, so local variation is possible. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county issues RV placement permits, but these have historically been for limited time periods, not permanent occupancy, and accessory structures cannot be used for sleeping/habitation without proper permitting from the county. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedOne- and two-family dwellings are regulated under Wisconsin's statewide Uniform Dwelling Code, but the county requires a land use permit (after a sanitary permit) as a first step before building. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedBayfield County requires a private onsite wastewater system where no public sewer exists, and is stricter than the state DSPS by requiring an in-ground system where soils allow, rather than letting owners pick any system type. Composting toilets are allowed only via a specific county privy permit that bars sinks, showers, or flush toilets in the same structure. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Bayfield County-specific ordinance on greywater reuse was found; the county appears to follow the state DSPS plumbing code baseline. Confirm directly with the Bayfield County Health Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Bayfield County ordinance or department page specifically addressing rainwater harvesting was found; the county's water resources page focuses on wells and testing rather than collection rules. source
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedThe Bayfield County Health Department directly enforces the state well code (NR 812) locally, including well and drillhole abandonment and inspection requirements. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance directly addresses full disconnection from electrical or public utilities; sanitary permitting appears tied to having water fixtures like sinks or toilets, but this is not a confirmed off-grid exemption. Ask the county Health Department directly.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 1.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,245 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 31 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 9,034 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 27 to Sep 26
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Tamarack Health Ashland Medical Center - 7.2 mi
- Fire station
Washburn Fire Department - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Washburn Hardware & Sport - 0.1 mi
- Grocery
Hansen's IGA - 0.3 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 54891).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Bayfield County, WI?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.