Off-grid site report

Greene County, OH

39.6897, -83.9668 · 929 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Greene County, OH, 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 rulesGreene County, OH

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyGreene County has no countywide zoning ordinance; all 12 townships and every municipality except Bowersville Village have adopted their own zoning resolutions. Confirm requirements with the specific township or municipal zoning inspector. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo official Greene County document addresses tiny homes or RV occupancy specifically; this is governed by each township's own zoning resolution, with Ohio's state manufactured-home standards likely serving as a baseline. Not confirmed at the county level.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedGreene County's Department of Building Regulation enforces the Ohio Building Codes, including the Residential Code of Ohio, for most of the county (a few cities/villages run their own departments). An approved local zoning permit is required before a building permit will be issued. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedGreene County Public Health permits and inspects private sewage systems following Ohio's statewide sewage rules, including soil evaluation and system design review for vacant lots; self-installation is allowed after passing a test and posting a bond. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo dedicated Greene County greywater page was found; residents should assume Ohio's statewide ODH framework applies as a baseline and confirm directly with the Health District.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedCisterns and rainwater storage are treated as private water systems and regulated by Greene County Public Health's Environmental Health division alongside wells. source

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedGreene County Public Health permits, inspects, and tests private wells and water systems; well drillers must also submit logs to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo explicit Greene County ordinance mandates connection to public utilities, but county code requires any dwelling not on sanitary sewer to have an approved septic system, and all construction must still meet zoning and building code approval. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,336 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 42 in/yr
Snowfall: 21 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,127 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 17 to Oct 20

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Wright-Patterson Medical Center: 8.8 mi
Fire station Fire Station 62: 6.5 mi
Hardware store Rocky's Ace Hardware: 1.6 mi
Grocery Grocerylan: 2.0 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 45385).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.