Off-grid site report
Eau Claire County, WI
44.7891, -91.5507 · 807 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Eau Claire 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 rulesEau Claire County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyEau Claire County administers a countywide zoning ordinance (Title 18) through its Planning & Development Department, with some parcels also under shoreland zoning enforced since 1968. Individual towns retain input on rezoning, so rules can vary by town even under the unified county code. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific ordinance on tiny homes or RV-as-dwelling was found; the statewide Uniform Dwelling Code (DSPS) sets baseline construction standards, but occupancy specifics are not confirmed. Call county Planning & Development directly.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedEau Claire County's Land Use Controls Division issues building permits and inspections for one- and two-family dwellings under the statewide Uniform Dwelling Code. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Eau Claire City-County Health Department administers the state POWTS code, requiring a soil test and a licensed Master Plumber for design/install; even sealed-vault and open-bottom pit toilets require a permit here. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; if greywater goes to a soil absorption system, the Health Department's septic/POWTS authority likely applies, per the state rule.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; this defaults to the state plumbing code baseline, generally permit-free for outdoor/non-potable use.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed by the state's NR 812 code administered by the Wisconsin DNR, with the county Health Department playing a coordinating role through its well-and-septic program. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found addressing full disconnection from electric or gas utilities; habitability standards tied to dwelling and sanitary codes could indirectly require water and septic connections. Confirm with Planning & Development and your town.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,345 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 31 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 47 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,959 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 6 to Oct 2
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Marshfield Medical Center Eau Claire - 1.6 mi
- Fire station
Eau Claire Fire Department Station 5 - 2.7 mi
- Hardware store
Menards - 2.9 mi
- Grocery
Amerasian Food Plus - 1.9 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 54702).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Eau Claire 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.