Off-grid site report
Rusk County, WI
45.3377, -91.4799 · 1,266 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Rusk 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 rulesRusk County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyOnly nine townships (Atlanta, Flambeau, Grant, Grow, Marshall, Thornapple, Stubbs, Washington, Wilson) have comprehensive zoning under Rusk County Chapter 17; elsewhere, county zoning doesn't directly apply outside shoreland/floodplain areas, per the Rusk County Zoning Office. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Rusk County-specific tiny-home or RV dwelling standard was found; presumably the statewide Uniform Dwelling Code baseline applies, but this isn't confirmed for the county. Ask the Rusk County Zoning Office.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedWisconsin's statewide Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS 320-325) sets the baseline, and Rusk County's Zoning Office requires Land Use Permits for new buildings, but it's unclear whether the county or individual towns hold the certified UDC inspection role. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Rusk County Private Sewage Ordinance applies countywide, requiring a Sanitary Permit, soil test, and licensed plumber; composting toilets and outhouses are allowed as permitted uses, especially where there's no well or plumbing. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Rusk County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state DSPS plumbing code baseline likely applies, but confirm with the county.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Rusk County ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting was located; presumed legal for non-potable use under state baseline.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate well construction is governed by the state well code (NR 812/NR 845), with Rusk County Public Health Department handling water testing and the DNR Transient Non-Community Well Program rather than construction permitting itself. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county or state rule directly addresses full electric/utility disconnection for an occupied dwelling; county practice tolerates dry cabins with privies when there's no well or plumbing, per the county sanitary program. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,349 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 33 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 50 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 8,883 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 14 to Sep 25
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Mayo Clinic Health System- Chippewa Valley - 16.3 mi
- Fire station
New Auburn Area Fire Department - 10.4 mi
- Hardware store
Bjorkstrand Metal Roofing - 13.4 mi
- Grocery
KJ's Fresh Market - 8.5 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 54895).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Rusk 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.