Off-grid site report
Wexford County, MI
44.2822, -85.3970 · 1,299 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Wexford 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 rulesWexford County, MI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyWexford County repealed its countywide zoning ordinance effective 2016; most townships are now covered by the Wexford Joint Planning Commission's joint zoning ordinance, but Cedar Creek Township, City of Cadillac, and City of Manton set their own rules. Confirm with your specific township or city. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe old county zoning ordinance bars using RVs or manufactured homes as accessory sleeping structures, but whether a tiny home or RV can be a primary dwelling depends on the township or city ordinance in effect. Not confirmed at a county-wide level. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Wexford County Building Department issues building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits for most of the county, enforcing the 2015 Michigan Residential Code and 2021 Michigan Building Code, except in the City of Cadillac, City of Manton, and Cedar Creek Township, which handle their own permits. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedDistrict Health Department #10 (DHD#10) issues septic permits and requires site evaluation; homeowners may install their own system but others must be DHD#10-licensed. Composting toilet policy is not confirmed, so ask DHD#10 directly.
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Wexford County or DHD#10 page specifically addresses greywater reuse; this likely falls back to the state plumbing code baseline, but that's not confirmed locally.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Wexford-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found; treat this as governed by the state baseline until confirmed with a local office.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedDHD#10 issues permits for private wells, locates the installation site, and inspects final work; permits and site evaluations are valid for a limited time and are non-transferrable.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyThere's no standalone ban on going off-grid, but the building permit plus DHD#10 well/septic permit chain effectively functions as a gate for any new dwelling; full off-grid disconnection isn't addressed as legal in any source found. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 1.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,258 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 34 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 8,102 (severe)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital - 2.5 mi
- Fire station
Haring Township Fire Department - 0.6 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 0.6 mi
- Grocery
Aldi - 0.1 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 49601).
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.