Off-grid site report
Wise County, VA
36.9759, -82.5757 · 2,454 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Wise 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 rulesWise County, VA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedWise County has an adopted, countywide Zoning Ordinance with districts like R-1, administered by the county Building and Zoning Department except in the Town of Wise and City of Norton, which run separate zoning offices. Check the Official Zoning District Map or call the department to confirm your parcel's district. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyA building permit is required for new dwellings under the Virginia USBC, and mobile/manufactured homes need both a siting permit and proof of water/sewer connection permits first. No official source confirms a specific tiny-home size cap; treat any such claim as unconfirmed and ask the county directly. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Wise County Department of Building and Zoning enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and issues permits, required before any construction begins; site plan review applies to most new buildings. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Virginia Department of Health, a state agency, permits onsite sewage systems for property without public sewer, and this permit must be secured before the county issues a building permit. Applications need support from a licensed onsite soil evaluator or engineer. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Wise County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this stays under VDH and State Board of Health regulation as the statewide default.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater rule exists; VDH's statewide rainwater harvesting program, including registration and Tier 4 permits for larger or potable systems, applies by default. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through VDH, a state agency, and this permit is required before the county will issue a building permit. The Wise County Public Service Authority provides public water only in areas it already serves; elsewhere you're on a VDH-permitted well. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Wise County ordinance was found requiring connection to grid electric, but occupancy still functionally requires an approved VDH septic/well permit and a county building permit or certificate of occupancy first. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,326 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 48 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 53 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,848 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 24 to Oct 17
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Norton Community Hospital - 4.7 mi
- Fire station
Wise Fire Department - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Wise Lumber & Supply Company - 0.3 mi
- Grocery
Hometown IGA - 0.2 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 24293).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Wise 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.