Off-grid site report

Josephine County, OR

42.1626, -123.7826 · 4,554 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Josephine County, OR, 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 rulesJosephine County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedJosephine County has adopted countywide rural zoning (RR-1, RR-2.5, RR-5, Forest, Rural Commercial, Rural Industrial) under its Rural Land Development Code, administered by the county Planning Division. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyCamping/temporary shelters are capped at 120 days a year (30 in Resource zones) per county ordinance; a Medical Hardship permit allows a temporary second dwelling tied to documented medical need. Tiny-home-as-permanent-dwelling claims are not confirmed on an official county page. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedJosephine County Building Safety Division enforces the Oregon Structural and Residential Specialty Codes; non-prescriptive structures need an Oregon-licensed engineer's design. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedOregon DEQ's Medford office, not the county, directly permits septic systems in Josephine County; the county's On-Site Septic Program counter assists with applications. Composting toilet treatment is not confirmed, ask the county septic counter. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Josephine County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it appears to fall under Oregon DEQ's statewide tiered onsite program, ask DEQ Medford to confirm specifics. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county-specific restriction was found; Oregon's statewide exemption for roof and impervious-surface rainwater collection appears to control, subject to plumbing code if piped into a structure.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWell construction and domestic-use exemptions are set by the Oregon Water Resources Department at the state level; the county Planning Division just hosts a referral page to OWRD materials. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedOff-grid utility disconnection is allowed, but county manufactured-dwelling placement requires proof of fire protection and an approved water supply plus a septic/sewer permit before placement.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.0 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.3 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,339 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 63 in/yr
Snowfall: 12 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,013 (moderate)
Frost-free season: May 1 to Oct 10

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Asante Three Rivers Medical Center: 28.7 mi
Fire station Ilinois Valley Fire protection District, Station #3: 7.7 mi
Hardware store True Value Hardware: 7.0 mi
Grocery Grocery Outlet: 6.9 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 97534).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.