Off-grid site report
Bingham County, ID
43.1901, -112.3646 · 4,498 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Bingham County, ID, 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 rulesBingham County, ID
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyBingham County has an adopted comprehensive plan and Title 10 zoning ordinance, enforced by the county Planning and Zoning Commission; allowed uses depend on the zoning district, and incorporated cities' areas of impact may add rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedCounty code allows a manufactured or mobile home as a primary dwelling but explicitly excludes RVs from that status; whether an Appendix Q tiny home qualifies as permanent housing is not confirmed and should be asked of Planning & Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county's Building & Construction Division issues permits and enforces state-adopted building codes (Idaho Code Title 39 Ch. 43, IDAPA 07.03.03) alongside Title 8 of county code. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through Southeastern Idaho Public Health, the regional health district, under state DEQ rules; homeowners may self-install standard or basic alternative systems. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Bingham County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it would fall under Southeastern Idaho Public Health's individual sewage disposal permitting, the same office as septic.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance addressing residential rainwater harvesting was found; state water law administered by the Idaho Department of Water Resources is the applicable framework.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells are permitted entirely at the state level through the Idaho Department of Water Resources; the county has no separate well ordinance and directs residents straight to IDWR. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyThere's no standalone county rule banning off-grid power or water, but a building permit requires a septic permit or will-serve letter, so a wastewater solution is mandatory regardless of utility hookups. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,474 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 11 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,145 (cold)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Bingham Memorial Hospital - 0.9 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 17.2 mi
- Grocery
Kesler's - 0.5 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 83221).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Bingham County, ID?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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.