Off-grid site report
Chautauqua County, NY
42.0980, -79.2413 · 1,434 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Chautauqua County, NY, 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 rulesChautauqua County, NY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyChautauqua County has no countywide zoning code; each of the 27 towns, 2 cities, and 15 villages sets its own zoning law. County Planning Board review under state GML 239-L/M is advisory only. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedNo county-wide standard for tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; the county circulates state guidance on manufactured housing for towns to adopt, but the decision is made locally, not at county level.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedLocal Code Enforcement Officers issue building permits under the NYS Uniform Code, but county law requires the Chautauqua County Department of Health to approve the water and sewage systems before that permit can be issued. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe county Sanitary Code, enforced by the Chautauqua County Department of Health, sets lot-size and setback rules for septic systems and requires a county permit for any construction or alteration; composting toilets are not separately addressed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedCounty application materials describe laundry and utility sink wastewater as needing to connect to the main septic/sewer system rather than allowing a standalone greywater reuse setup. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found in Planning or Health Department materials; this appears to follow the state baseline.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedThe county Sanitary Code sets minimum lot size and setback distances between wells and septic components, and the county Health Department tests well water for bacteria at property transfer. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyWhether a dwelling must connect to public utilities is set by each town's own zoning code; the county's only universal requirement is Health Department sign-off on the well/septic system before a building permit is issued. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 1.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,145 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 48 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 62 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,920 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 26 to Oct 31
- Design low
- -3 °F
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
UPMC Chautauqua - 0.6 mi
- Fire station
Jamestown Fire Station Number 1 - 0.2 mi
- Hardware store
Chautauqua Brick - Jamestown - 0.4 mi
- Grocery
Allen Street Grocery & Deli Mart - 0.8 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 14702).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Chautauqua County, NY?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.