Off-grid site report

Franklin County, WA

46.2462, -119.0946 · 400 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Franklin County, WA, 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 rulesFranklin County, WA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyFranklin County Planning and Economic Development Department maintains a countywide zoning map and Title 17 code; allowed uses depend entirely on the parcel's zone. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyState law sets construction standards for tiny homes, RVs, park model RVs, and manufactured homes, but Franklin County Planning decides how and where each type can be sited; no specific county tiny-house ordinance was confirmed. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedFranklin County has adopted the 2021 IRC, IBC, and Energy Code, and its Planning and Economic Development Department handles permitting and inspection. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Benton-Franklin Health District permits, reviews, and inspects septic systems for both counties; county rules bar occupying a dwelling without an approved sewer or septic system. source

Greywater reuse

Generally allowedBFHD's board of health rules define greywater separately from sewage, but detailed reuse permitting beyond that definition isn't confirmed locally; ask BFHD directly. source

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Franklin County or BFHD page on rainwater harvesting was found; this is not confirmed locally and likely defaults to state Department of Ecology policy.

Private wells & water rights

Varies locallyPrivate wells are regulated by the state Department of Health, with water rights through Department of Ecology; BFHD requires coordination on well placement relative to septic drainfields. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyFranklin County notes electric service isn't available everywhere and extending it can be costly; no ban on disconnecting exists, but occupancy still requires an approved septic system, limiting true off-grid living. source

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): 2.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,356 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 9 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,022 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 24 to Oct 12

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Lourdes Medical Center: 0.8 mi
Fire station Pasco Fire Station 81: 1.0 mi
Hardware store Beacon: 1.2 mi
Grocery Atomic Foods: 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 99301).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.