Off-grid site report

Hardy County, WV

39.0471, -78.9798 · 850 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hardy 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 rulesHardy County, WV

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedHardy County adopted countywide zoning in 2005, which is unusual for rural WV counties where the baseline is often no zoning at all. The Hardy County Planning Office enforces the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance everywhere in the county except inside the incorporated towns of Moorefield and Wardensville, which run their own permitting. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyI found that manufactured (HUD-code) homes are defined and addressed in the zoning ordinance, but I could not confirm specific minimum square footage rules or how tiny homes on wheels and RVs are treated as permanent residences. You'll want to call the Hardy County Planning Office directly and ask about your specific district before you buy or build. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedHardy County requires an Improvement Location Permit for construction in unincorporated areas, tied to the state authorization in WV Code Chapter 16, and the county also requires proof of a licensed contractor and a construction notice to the Assessor's Office under WV Code 11-3-3A. This is administered by the Hardy County Planning Office.
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are allowed but require a permit from the Hardy County Health Department, or a Sanitarian's sign-off on the Improvement Location Permit application, before the county will issue a building permit. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed by the county, so I'd call the Health Department's Sanitarian to ask how they'd handle one. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyI couldn't find any Hardy County-specific greywater ordinance or guidance, so this likely falls back to the state's Individual Sewage System rules administered through the same Health Department office. Not confirmed locally, so ask the Hardy County Health Department Sanitarian how they'd want a greywater system designed as part of your septic permit.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyI didn't find any Hardy County ordinance or Health Department guidance addressing rainwater catchment, so there's no confirmed local rule either way. In the absence of a specific restriction, this likely defaults to being unregulated for non-potable use, but that's not confirmed, so it's worth a call to the Planning Office if you're building a system tied to your structure's permit.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and regulated under West Virginia's statewide well-drilling law, which requires a certified driller and a permit, with construction meeting state Design Standards. The Hardy County Health Department administers the actual applications, like the Water Well Application (SW-256) and Completion Report.
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedGoing without public water or sewer hookups is not prohibited by Hardy County; it simply means you go through the private well and septic permitting pathway with the Health Department instead. No ordinance was found requiring you to connect to utilities if your well/septic setup is compliant.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,329 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
33 in/yr
Snowfall
20 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,290 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 30 to Oct 8

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Grant Memorial Hospital
9.0 mi
Fire station
Moorefield Fire Department
1.4 mi
Hardware store
Orkney Hardware and Supply
19.7 mi
Grocery
Food Lion
0.4 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 26818).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.