The question of being able to live off of the grid has surfaced more and more in recent years. People get tired of being connected to technology, electricity and other modern conveniences. While it can be a boon to some, it can be an overwhelming burden for others. They yearn for a simpler life.
So… Is It Illegal To Live Off The Grid?
It is legal to live off the grid in the United States, so technically the answer is no it’s not illegal, but in many areas it can be very difficult to do because of regulations set up by the state. When it comes to separating completely from all infrastructure provided by the state you are more than likely to run into some issues. As long as you comply with all rules and restrictions as well as have the appropriate permits then it is yes of course legal to do.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to disconnect. It’s okay to plant your own crops, build your own home and even create your own source of power. Many people do this every day. However, things can get complicated when you’re dealing with local government rules and ordinances that can interfere with the off the grid lifestyle.
When it comes to the legalities of living off the grid, here are the main problem areas to keep in mind as well as do some research on:
1. Your home may be required to have a certain minimum amount of square footage.
Even though you can build any kind of home that you want on your land, there may be county or city ordinances that require a minimum amount of square footage. If this requirement is not met, your building permit may be denied. That government office has the final say on all buildings, and a permit is mandatory before you can start building. There are also building codes to be aware of. These codes can sometimes vary by city and state.
Most city and county government offices mandate that a home must be between 500 to 1000 square feet at a minimum. This means that you can’t build a tiny house or cabin on your land. The government office likely won’t accept a permit for anything less than the minimum square footage requirements unless you get a variance. Variances are exceptions to the rules. They are also very difficult to have approved.
2. Your lot must meet minimum size requirements.
There are also lot requirements. They can vary depending on where you live. If you live in the city limits, lots usually have to be at least 5000 square feet or more. Lots in rural areas are often 5 to 10 acres. Some rural lots are 25 to 50 acres or more. Most counties set limits on the amount of land that you can parcel out to sell or to use for business purposes.
If you apply for a variance for your lots and the variance is approved, you still have to do more work. Your land will then be classified as a subdivision. Most subdivisions are required to have roads for transportation and ditches to manage water. You will probably be asked to submit a plan to the respective local government office for your lots. The plan should list where each lot, road, ditch and other necessary items are located.
Once approved, each of your lots will be given an address and will be registered with the city. The subdivision has to be approved by county government. That means that you’ll have to appeal to their offices and allow your neighbors and the county committee to vote on whether or not to approve your subdivision. It’s a good idea to be on good terms with your neighbors. The fate of your property may wind up in their hands.
3. There must be a source of water.
Most city and county government dictate that individual property has to have a good source of water. This is required for health and sanitation purposes. If you’re fortunate enough to have your own well or own some lake-shore property, you might not need to worry about hooking up to your city’s water supply. If you need to have a well drilled, the cost is typically around $5000 or more.
Another alternative is installing a grey-water system. Grey-water systems treat water so that it can be reused continuously for dishes, showers, baths and sinks. This water can also be used in toilets and in irrigation on your land. These kinds of systems help to extend the useful life of your existing well by reusing water that is already on the surface. It may even help you save money over time.
If you need to hook up to the city’s water system, be prepared to put a dent in your wallet for the connection charge. Depending on where you live, connecting your property to city water can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars or more. Connecting to city utilities is a more cost-effective solution for many land owners, especially if the county requires that all residents be connected to the city water system.
It is illegal in some places to collect rainwater
Collecting rainwater can be a great source to fulfill all of your freshwater needs. It is especially abundant if you have a sort of grey-water recycling system set in place but unfortunately some states prohibit your ability to collect the rain water that falls on your property. That’s right, in some places you are not allowed to collect the water that comes out of the sky on land that you own, crazy! So before you decide that you will use rainwater as your main water source make sure to check with your local authorities to make sure that you aren’t breaking any laws.
4. You can’t camp out on your own land permanently.
Most locations forbid a property owner from camping out on their own land for more than two weeks. While this intentions behind such rules are usually to prevent reduction of home values and the establishment of tent communities by homeless people, this restriction can hinder people who are building on their land.
It means that you can’t camp out while on your land for more than two weeks while you’re building or remodeling your home. The only way in most cases to camp out on your property beyond that time period is to receive a camping permit from your local government office. You may have to stay with family members or friends or rent another dwelling in the meantime, which can add an unexpected expense to your budget.
5. There must be a proper septic system.
Most lots are required to have a sufficient septic system. Many county government offices will have a minimum size septic system that must be installed. If you don’t already have one, a percolation test should be requested first. This test will examine the soil’s absorption rate to see if it meets the standards for a septic drain field.
Installing a septic system can take more time and money than you may have initially planned for. Certain areas may insist that such work can only be performed by a licensed contractor, which can take even longer and be even more costly. A permit is also required to install a septic system. The system should also be emptied every few months by a vacuum truck.
6. There also has to be a sufficient power source.
Depending on where you live, you may also be mandated to be connected to the city’s public utilities. The further you are away from rural areas, the less restrictive such rules should be, but that’s not guaranteed.
Certain areas will allow you to place solar panels on your property to generate power. Some cities even encourage people to participate in a connected solar power network that allows you to sell any unused power that you generate to the city. It can take a while to generate surplus power, however, and you’ll still probably have to pay for city electrical services if your solar panels don’t generate enough electricity for your needs at home. You may even be able to sell that surplus power to your local utility company. It can be a good source of extra income, as long as you’re rationing your own power needs carefully.
It might not be a bad idea to have a backup power source as well. Solar panels aren’t very efficient on dark or cloudy days. Wind turbines are an option, but they can be expensive. Most wind turbine systems run about $5000 or more. Adding a backup generator to your solar power system may be a more feasible alternative. Just be aware that they can also be costly. A good solar power generator can run anywhere from a few thousand to ten thousand dollars or more.
In Closing
You may not be able to live entirely off the grid, but disconnecting from the modern world as much as possible can be a great stress reliever. It allows you to get back to the basics and focus on what really matters. The goal won’t be easy to accomplish, and there may be some obstacles along the way. However, if you’re set on living a simpler life, then by all means you should go for it.
