Off-grid site report

Tillamook County, OR

45.6896, -123.8811 · 72 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Tillamook County, OR, 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 rulesTillamook County, OR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyTillamook County DCD administers the Land Use Ordinance countywide outside city UGBs, with minimum lot sizes and use rules varying by zone; incorporated cities handle zoning inside their own limits/UGBs. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedThe county's LUO does not allow RVs as permanent year-round dwellings outside licensed RV or mobile home parks, a limit reinforced by a LUBA land-use appeal; tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet standard manufactured-home/building and sanitation approval. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe Tillamook County Building Division issues structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits countywide and inspects the work, with separate State of Oregon permits required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trades. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedOn-site septic systems are permitted but must meet Oregon DEQ setback rules administered by Tillamook County DCD; composting/self-contained vault toilets are separately allowed under state rule and applied by the county. source

Greywater reuse

Generally allowedGreywater disposal sumps are permitted under Oregon DEQ construction rules, which Tillamook County hosts and administers; no stricter county-specific rule was found. source

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Tillamook County-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found; this appears to inherit Oregon's general state baseline, so confirm details with county DCD or the state.

Private wells & water rights

Unclear - verifyNo distinct Tillamook County well ordinance was found; well construction appears to follow Oregon Water Resources Department standards, with the county requiring proof of an approved water source for occupancy permits.

Living disconnected from utilities

RestrictedLiving off the electrical grid is not itself prohibited, but Tillamook County DCD requires an approved sanitation system (septic/OWTS or approved composting toilet) before any building permit is considered complete, and bars RVs or non-conforming structures as permanent unconnected dwellings. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 3.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 1.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,084 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 72 in/yr
Snowfall: 13 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,755 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Feb 18 to Dec 4
Design low: 31 °F

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Tillamook Regional Medical Center: 16.1 mi
Fire station Nehalem Fire Station #13: 2.5 mi
Hardware store Manzanita Lumber Co.: 3.1 mi
Grocery Manzanita Fresh Foods: 3.1 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 97147).

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.