Off-grid site report
Calaveras County, CA
38.2638, -120.2785 · 4,150 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Calaveras County, CA, 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 rulesCalaveras County, CA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedCalaveras County Planning Department enforces a countywide Zoning Code adopted under state authority; Rural Residential zoning requires five acres minimum for a parcel served by individual well and septic. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyCounty code distinguishes casual camping on private property from formal RV parks, and allows temporary mobile home use during construction; specific day limits for RV/camp living were not confirmed, so ask the Planning Department. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county Building Department, part of EMA, enforces the state Title 24 code and will not issue a dwelling permit until an OWTS (septic) permit is approved first. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedCalaveras County Environmental Health administers OWTS permitting under a state-approved Local Agency Management Program overseen by the Central Valley Regional Water Board; composting toilet exemptions are not confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedCalaveras County Environmental Health states it does not regulate simple greywater reuse systems, effectively deferring to the state Plumbing Code baseline. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; the state baseline under California Water Code appears to govern, not confirmed further at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedCalaveras County EMA is the designated local enforcing agency for well permits and administers the county's own Groundwater Management Ordinance regulating extraction. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo dedicated county ordinance on utility disconnection was found; the closest rule is that a dwelling permit requires an approved septic system first, per the Building Department and EMA. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,654 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 57 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 110 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,915 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 13 to Oct 25
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Adventist Health Sonora - 20.5 mi
- Fire station
Dorrington Station 22 - 3.9 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 3.8 mi
- Grocery
Big Trees Market - 4.9 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 95223).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Calaveras County, CA?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.