Off-grid site report
Smyth County, VA
36.8514, -81.5079 · 2,287 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Smyth County, VA, 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 rulesSmyth County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedSmyth County has countywide zoning adopted under state authority (Title 15.2, Ch. 22), effective for all unincorporated territory, administered by the Building & Zoning Department. A zoning permit is required before a building permit is issued; district-specific rules were not itemized here so confirm with the county for your parcel. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe county has a separate mobile home/trailer ordinance (Chapter 44) alongside zoning; whether tiny homes on foundations follow standard state building code (Appendix Q) isn't confirmed locally, and full-time RV living outside a licensed campground appears restricted under general Virginia practice but isn't confirmed Smyth-specific. Ask Building & Zoning directly. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Smyth County Building & Zoning Department issues permits and enforces the state Uniform Statewide Building Code (building, electrical, plumbing) locally; a septic or well permit from the health department is typically required before building permit issuance. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedProperties without public sewer must get a septic/sewage disposal permit from the Smyth County Health Department, part of the Mount Rogers Health District under the Virginia Department of Health; composting toilets fall under the same state baseline regulation. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Smyth-specific greywater ordinance was found; reuse is governed by the state Board of Health rules administered through the Mount Rogers Health District, with no confirmed additional county layer. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Smyth County ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; this is governed by the state VDH baseline (small barrels generally exempt, larger or potable systems may need VDH registration), inherited from the state rather than set locally.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through VDH, with siting and construction requirements typically confirmed via a licensed well driller or onsite soil evaluator; no Smyth-specific well ordinance beyond the state program was found. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Smyth County ordinance explicitly requiring grid electric connection was found, but occupancy still requires approved water and sewage systems regardless of electric status; whether the mobile home ordinance ties electric hookup approval to health department sign-off (as seen in some neighboring counties) is not confirmed for Smyth specifically, so ask the county directly.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,303 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 10 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,942 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 26 to Oct 15
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Smyth County Community Hospital - 1.1 mi
- Fire station
Marion Fire / EMS Department - 1.6 mi
- Hardware store
Harpo's Hardware - 13.3 mi
- Grocery
Ingles - 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 24378).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Smyth County, VA?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.