Off-grid site report
Kanawha County, WV
38.3855, -81.8310 · 594 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Kanawha County, WV, 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 rulesKanawha County, WV
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyKanawha County Planning & Development administers land use ordinances in unincorporated areas, but it's not a traditional zoning code; incorporated cities like Charleston run their own separate zoning offices. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyAny structure, new or used, including mobile/manufactured homes, appears to require a county building permit, but no specific tiny-home or RV occupancy rule was found; confirm with Planning & Development.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedA building permit from Kanawha County Planning & Development is required for construction, placement, or relocation of structures in unincorporated areas, with fees based on estimated cost; floodplain rules add further requirements. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic and onsite sewage systems require a permit from the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department under state sewage rules, with a minimum lot size cited for individual septic systems; composting toilets aren't separately addressed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Kanawha-specific greywater ordinance was found; it likely falls under KCHD's onsite sewage approval process by default, following the state's general framework, but this is not confirmed.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Kanawha County or KCHD rule on rainwater harvesting was found; it appears effectively unregulated for non-potable use as in most of the state, but this is not officially confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedPrivate wells are overseen by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department under the state's well certification program; much of the county's populated area is instead served by West Virginia American Water. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance was found that mandates hookup to public water, sewer, or electric in unincorporated Kanawha County, but you'll need an approved septic permit and documented water system as part of your building permit.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,241 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 46 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 26 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,955 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 22 to Oct 18
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Thomas Memorial Hospital - 6.1 mi
- Fire station
Saint Albans Fire Department 1 - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Riley's Tools - 0.3 mi
- Grocery
Kroger - 0.3 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 25177).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Kanawha County, WV?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.