Off-grid site report

Armstrong County, PA

40.7815, -79.4465 · 1,332 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyArmstrong County has no countywide zoning ordinance; about two-thirds of its 45 municipalities have adopted their own zoning, while several have none at all. Confirm with the specific township or borough office. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyTiny homes, RVs, and alternative dwellings follow whatever local zoning ordinance exists (if any) plus the state Uniform Construction Code for building standards; not confirmed as a county-level policy.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedPennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999) applies statewide; 35 Armstrong County municipalities jointly administer it through the Armstrong County UCC Group using Bureau Veritas as third-party inspector, while other municipalities administer it themselves. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedOn-lot sewage systems are permitted through the state-delegated Sewage Enforcement Agency of Armstrong and Indiana Counties under Pennsylvania's Sewage Facilities Act; occupancy is barred until the system is inspected and approved. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Armstrong County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state DEP/Sewage Facilities Act framework likely applies, but this is not confirmed locally. Ask the Sewage Enforcement Agency directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedRainwater harvesting for non-potable use follows the state baseline; it is not confirmed as an approved standalone potable water source for a permanent residence in Armstrong County.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells fall under Pennsylvania's Water Well Drillers License Act, with completion reports tracked in the state's Groundwater Information System; no county-specific well permitting ordinance was found. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyThere is no countywide requirement to connect to grid electric or public water/sewer; this depends on the specific municipality's zoning or building rules, and several municipalities have no zoning at all.

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): 2.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,210 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 41 in/yr
Snowfall: 30 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,333 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 7 to Oct 8

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Armstrong County Memorial Hospital: 6.3 mi
Fire station Rayburn Toowmship Fire Department: 4.5 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 3.9 mi
Grocery Riverside: 3.9 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 16238).

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.