Off-grid site report

Delaware County, PA

40.0440, -75.3961 · 456 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Delaware County, PA, 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 rulesDelaware County, PA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyThere is no countywide zoning code; each of Delaware County's 49 municipalities writes and enforces its own zoning ordinance, and the county Planning Department's review of land development proposals is advisory only. Confirm raw-land occupancy rules with your specific township or borough. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo county-level standard for tiny homes, RVs, or alternative dwellings was found; this is set entirely by each municipality's zoning and property maintenance code.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyDelaware County does not issue building permits; each municipality enforces Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code either with its own staff or a certified third-party agency, per the PA Dept. of Labor & Industry. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedAs of June 2023 the Delaware County Health Department centrally handles inspections, permitting, and enforcement for on-lot sewage systems countywide under state Act 537; no installation or repair can occur without its permit. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo distinct county greywater rule was found; it appears to fall under the same Act 537 sewage permitting the Delaware County Health Department administers, consistent with the state baseline.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting for non-potable use was found; this defers to the state baseline, with using it as a sole potable supply being restricted under that same framework.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedPennsylvania doesn't regulate private wells directly, but the Delaware County Health Department issues its own permits for well construction, including private water wells and geothermal wells, on top of state driller licensing. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo county-level utility-connection mandate for occupancy was found; if a certificate of occupancy requires utility hookups, that condition would be set by your individual municipality.

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): 3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,329 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 48 in/yr
Snowfall: 24 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,003 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 11 to Oct 28

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Wills Eye Hospital: 14.4 mi
Fire station Radnor Company 1 Fire Station: 0.4 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 15.6 mi
Grocery Whole Foods Market: 14.4 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 19080).

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.