Off-grid site report
Madera County, CA
37.2425, -119.5387 · 2,979 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Madera County, CA, 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 rulesMadera County, CA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedMadera County's Title 18 Zoning Ordinance, administered by the Planning Division, requires every structure or use to fit a by-right, zoning-permit, or conditional-use category. Raw-land occupancy isn't explicitly banned but must fit an allowed use. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyCounty-specific rules on RV, trailer, or tiny home residency outside parks were not found; only a City of Madera ordinance bans it, and that doesn't apply to unincorporated land. Ask the county Planning Division directly. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county Building Division enforces state building codes on construction, alteration, and occupancy in unincorporated areas, and a permit is required before work begins.
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe county runs its own Local Agency Management Program for septic (OWTS), approved by the state's Central Valley Regional Water Board, via the Environmental Health Division; cesspools are prohibited. Composting toilets aren't addressed in sources found. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Madera County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state California Plumbing Code Chapter 15 framework appears to govern by default.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; the state Rainwater Capture Act appears to be the governing standard.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells require a permit from the county Environmental Health Division and must be built by licensed C-57 drillers; a separate meter permit is required, and local Groundwater Sustainability Agency rules under the state SGMA law can further limit extraction.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ordinance on off-grid utility disconnection was found; it's likely addressed indirectly through building occupancy permit rules, but this isn't confirmed.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,591 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 33 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,581 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Clovis Community Medical Center - 28.5 mi
- Fire station
Madera County Fire Department - 9.8 mi
- Hardware store
Bryant's Ace Hardware - 9.8 mi
- Grocery
Vons - 9.0 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 93643).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Madera County, CA?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.