Off-grid site report
Fayette County, WV
38.0100, -81.1118 · 1,955 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Fayette 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 rulesFayette County, WV
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyFayette County has a countywide Zoning Department administering a 2009 Unified Development Code, unlike counties with no zoning; the Town of Fayetteville has its own separate ordinance inside town limits only. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyCounty zoning materials don't spell out tiny-home or RV occupancy standards; not confirmed, ask the Zoning Officer. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedFayette County requires a building permit under the adopted IRC 2015 before construction, alteration, or regulated system installation, applied for through the Building Department. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedAll septic systems must be permitted, installed by a Certified Septic Installer, and inspected/approved by a Fayette County Health Department Sanitarian using Form SS-182A. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance found; likely folded into the Health Department's septic/onsite sewage review but not confirmed as a distinct rule. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Fayette County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found; appears to follow the state's generally unregulated stance for non-potable use, not confirmed further.
Private wells & water rights
Unclear - verifyPrivate wells fall under the state Water Well Certification Program with county Health Department involvement, but no dedicated Fayette County well-permitting or Public Service District page was found. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone ordinance requiring utility hookup was found; off-grid living seems to hinge on zoning, building, and septic permitting rather than a utility mandate, but this is not explicitly confirmed. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,261 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 46 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 43 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,328 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 25 to Oct 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Plateau Medical Center - 3.3 mi
- Fire station
Oak Hill Fire Department - 2.9 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 1.5 mi
- Grocery
Kroger - 0.9 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 25866).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Fayette 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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.