Off-grid site report

Emmons County, ND

46.5656, -100.0917 · 1,854 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Emmons County, ND, 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 rulesEmmons County, ND

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyEmmons County has a countywide zoning ordinance administered by the Planning and Zoning Commission, covering districts like Agricultural and Recreational; specifics depend on your parcel's district. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyA county resolution regulates mobile homes, conex boxes, and similar structures specifically on Recreational-zoned land; rules outside that zone were not confirmed, so ask Planning and Zoning.

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedBuilding permits are required and routed through Planning and Zoning to the County Commission, but the county says it has not added codes beyond the North Dakota State Building Codes. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are licensed and permitted under a statewide code adopted by the county Board of Health, administered through a contracted regional health unit; confirm the current contracted provider by phone since sources named two different ones. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Emmons County ordinance or clear North Dakota statute on residential greywater reuse was found; this is not confirmed, so ask county Public Health or Planning and Zoning directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county-specific rule was found, so the generally permissive state baseline applies; underground storage tanks could still need a permit.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedEmmons County's Water Resource Board handles local water-resource matters, not well permitting; well construction standards and exemptions for private domestic wells fall under state rules.

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo county ordinance requiring connection to electrical or water utilities was found, so living off-grid appears allowed at the county level; rules inside incorporated towns like Linton were not researched and could differ.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,376 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 17 in/yr
Snowfall: 29 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,333 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 12 to Sep 25

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Linton Regional Medical Center: 21.4 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store: none within range
Grocery Del's Super Value: 15.8 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 58524).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.