Off-grid site report

Schoharie County, NY

42.6659, -74.3096 · 610 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Schoharie County, NY, 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 rulesSchoharie County, NY

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallySchoharie County has no countywide zoning ordinance; the county Planning office only provides staff support and technical assistance to towns. Each town (Schoharie, Gilboa, Fulton, etc.) sets and enforces its own zoning through a local Code Enforcement Officer. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo county-level rule on tiny homes or RVs as dwellings was found; this is governed by each town's zoning and building code, administered by its local Code Enforcement Officer. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedBuilding permits are issued and enforced by each town's Code Enforcement Officer following the NYS Uniform Code, not by the county directly. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Schoharie County Department of Health requires engineer- or architect-submitted plans, a Permit to Construct, and a final inspection before burial; NYC Watershed areas of the county require joint review with NYC DEP. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Schoharie County-specific greywater rule was found; state sanitary code provisions likely apply by default. Confirm with the county Environmental Health Division.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; the state baseline (generally permitted) likely applies, but this isn't confirmed at the county level.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedThe Schoharie County Department of Health's Environmental Health Division reviews well siting alongside septic plans and enforces state sanitary code standards, including licensed-driller requirements. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo countywide mandate requiring grid connection was found; since zoning is set at the town level, this depends on the specific town's zoning and building ordinance. 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): 2.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,220 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 39 in/yr
Snowfall: 51 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,409 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 9 to Oct 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Saint Mary's Hospital: 20.5 mi
Fire station Schoharie Fire Department Niagara Engine Company No. 6: 0.7 mi
Hardware store Helderberg Tru Value: 12.6 mi
Grocery Hannaford: 7.3 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 12157).

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.