Off-grid site report

Toole County, MT

48.9971, -111.9626 · 3,534 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Toole County, MT, 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 rulesToole County, MT

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyToole County has not adopted countywide zoning; it only administers subdivision regulations under the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act. Zoning questions for land inside any of the county's towns or Shelby City go to those municipal offices, not the county. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Toole County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; the state baseline (IRC Appendix Q for foundation tiny homes, RV treatment for wheeled units) likely applies until a local ordinance says otherwise.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyMontana exempts single-family homes from state building-permit jurisdiction unless a local government opts in, and no Toole County building department or adopted code was confirmed. Check with the county directly. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Toole County Environmental Health Department administers septic/wastewater permitting under Montana DEQ standards (Circular DEQ-4, ARM Title 17 chapter 36); composting toilets likely fall under the same review though not separately addressed. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Toole County-specific greywater rule exists; the state rule, ARM 17.36.319 under Montana DEQ, governs greywater reuse statewide and Toole County appears to defer to it fully. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Toole County or Montana state rule was found prohibiting personal, non-potable rooftop rainwater collection.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells fall under Montana DNRC's statewide exempt-well framework based on flow/volume thresholds; a Notice of Intent filing requirement begins January 1, 2026 for some permit-exception wells. No Toole County-specific well ordinance was found. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Toole County ordinance requiring grid or utility hookup for an existing single-family parcel was found; DEQ's rule requiring connection to a public system within 500 feet applies specifically to new subdivisions, not existing off-grid occupancy.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.5 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,319 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 14 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,193 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 20 to Sep 22

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Logan Health – Cut Bank: 30.4 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Paririe Market: 8.1 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 59484).

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.