Off-grid site report

Washtenaw County, MI

42.2919, -83.6763 · 886 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Washtenaw County, MI, 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 rulesWashtenaw County, MI

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyWashtenaw County has no countywide zoning ordinance; each of the 20 townships and each city/village sets its own zoning ordinance and map governing raw-land occupancy, RVs, and camping. Always check with the specific township before buying. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo county-level rule on tiny homes or RV dwelling was found; this is set township by township on top of Michigan's statewide Residential Code enforced by LARA.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Washtenaw County Building Department enforces the State Building Code (plus 2014 NEC and 2015 Michigan Mechanical Code) for Augusta Twp, City of Dexter, Lodi Twp, Saline Twp, Scio Twp, and Webster Twp; other jurisdictions like Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti run their own building departments. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedWashtenaw County Environmental Health Division requires a soil evaluation and a permit for any onsite sewage system, work must be done by county-certified installers, and the county's own Environmental Health Regulation supplements state Public Health Code standards.
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; this appears to default to Michigan's state plumbing/residential code administered by LARA. Confirm with your township building official.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Washtenaw County-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found in official sources; this likely falls under the state plumbing code baseline.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and administered through the Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division, which also handles septic permits and can advise on local water-quality concerns.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyFull grid disconnection is not explicitly banned, but at least one township (Pittsfield, as a documented example) requires proof of county-approved well and septic permits before issuing any building permit, so unpermitted off-grid utilities won't get you a legal structure. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.4 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,286 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
38 in/yr
Snowfall
57 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,335 (cold)
Frost-free season
Apr 28 to Oct 17

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
none within range
Fire station
Pittsfield CharterΒ Township FireΒ Department
6.7 mi
Hardware store
Ace Hardware
2.7 mi
Grocery
Way 1 Supermarket
1.7 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 48105).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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.