Off-grid site report
Westmoreland County, VA
38.0643, -76.5588 · 20 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Westmoreland 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 rulesWestmoreland County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedWestmoreland County has countywide zoning administered by the Land Use Administration/Building & Zoning office, with district use tables, setbacks, and special-exception processes rather than a blanket ban on raw-land occupancy. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedCounty guidance says RVs and similar equipment cannot be used for temporary or permanent habitation outside official campgrounds/RV parks, and tent camping is only allowed as a temporary accessory use; a permanent tiny house on a foundation would go through standard building permit review. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county administers Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code locally, with permits submitted through the county's Citizens' Permit Portal and inspections run out of the county building office. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedOutside county sewer service areas a private septic system is required, and the Three Rivers Health District (Virginia Department of Health) must evaluate soil and issue a septic permit before installation; composting toilets are not separately addressed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Westmoreland County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this likely falls under the same Three Rivers Health District review as septic, following the state VDH framework, so ask the health district directly. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; the state VDH program lists permits and regulations for larger or potable rainwater harvesting systems, and small-scale use likely follows the state exemption, but this is not confirmed for Westmoreland County specifically. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells require a Well Construction Permit through the Virginia Department of Health's Division of Onsite Water and Wastewater Services, administered locally by the Three Rivers Health District. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance explicitly requires grid electric connection for occupancy, but an approved septic/well setup or connection to county water/sewer where available is required before occupancy under Health Department and county Water & Sewer rules. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,427 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 14 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,725 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 6 to Nov 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
MedStar Saint Mary's Hospital - 17.0 mi
- Fire station
Cople District Volunteer Fire Department Engine Company 3 - 2.6 mi
- Hardware store
Callao Supply - 6.7 mi
- Grocery
Food Lion - 11.5 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 22577).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Westmoreland 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.