Off-grid site report
Kent County, DE
39.1318, -75.5171 · 33 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Kent County, DE, 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 rulesKent County, DE
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedKent County Levy Court's countywide Zoning Code governs unincorporated areas only; anything not listed as permitted or conditional in a district is prohibited. Incorporated towns like Dover, Milford, Smyrna, and Camden enforce their own separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedManufactured homes need a county building permit and must be anchored/skirted; RVs and ECHO accessory units are allowed only as temporary, utility-sharing secondary dwellings, not standalone off-grid residences. No dedicated tiny-home standard was confirmed. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedKent County's Department of Planning Services is the building official for unincorporated areas and uses ICC-based codes, but state law exempts incorporated towns with their own building codes from county permitting. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedPrivate septic systems must comply with both county public works rules and DNREC (state) standards; unpermitted systems are unlawful under the county sewer-use chapter. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Kent County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it falls under the county's general prohibition on unpermitted wastewater discharge, which points back to DNREC state regulation. Confirm specifics with DNREC. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Kent County restriction on residential rainwater collection was found, so it defaults to the state's generally permissive stance; larger land-disturbing stormwater work triggers DNREC review.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedIndividual wells must be permitted and installed per DNREC (state) standards; Kent County's subdivision code incorporates that requirement and sets setbacks for public wells within developments. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedNo explicit ban on off-grid living was found, but county rules block building permits until required improvements, including on-site sewage and water provisions, are met, functionally requiring permitted well/septic before occupancy. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,414 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 46 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 16 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,269 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 6 to Nov 3
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus - 1.4 mi
- Fire station
Camden-Wyoming Fire Company - 2.0 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 0.8 mi
- Grocery
Redner's - 1.6 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 19906).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
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.