Aleutians West Census Area, AK · off-grid fact sheet
Can you live off-grid in Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska?
55
of 100
Major concerns
Possible, but hard and costly. The growing season is about 90 frost-free days and winter sun is weak, so plan on a greenhouse and a bigger battery bank or a generator. We found no public well records here, so price a test well early.
What the land says
Rain
Rain can supply much of a household's water with a large tank. A garden mostly waters itself in normal years.
About 55 inches a year (30-year average)
Wells
Well depth is unknown here. Ask the seller for the well log, or price a test well, before you offer.
No well depths in the public records for this area
Growing season
Very short. A greenhouse makes the difference.
About 90 frost-free days, USDA zone 7a; last frost about June 15, first about September 16
Sun
Weak sun. Solar needs a generator behind it in winter.
About 2.2 hours of full sun a day, averaged over the year
Flood
Flood zones are rare here. Still, look up the parcel on FEMA's flood map.
FEMA maps no flood zones nearby
Storms
Hurricanes and strong tornadoes are rare here.
NOAA: no hurricane-strength storm within 50 miles since 1975; no strong (EF2 or stronger) tornado within 25 miles since 1990
Earthquakes
Strong shaking is possible. Build to the seismic code and brace the water tank.
USGS seismic hazard map: very high
Terrain
Steep in places. Driveways, septic, and foundations cost more.
Slopes average about 15%, about 130 feet above sea level
Soil
Expect a costlier septic system, because rock or a hard layer sits about 43 inches down. The county's soil test decides.
Silt loam, well drained (USDA soil survey). A mound, sand filter, or treatment unit typically runs $10,000 to $20,000
Check an Alaska parcel, or plan the one you own
Get a free 0-100 off-grid score.
A step-by-step build plan, sizing your solar, water, garden, septic, heat, and buildings.
Is it legal here?
Zoning
Rural land here is often unzoned. Confirm with the borough before you build.
Building code
Alaska has no statewide building code for one- to three-family homes, so a house needs a building permit only where a city or borough, such as Anchorage, has adopted its own code. Homes financed by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation must still meet state construction standards and pass inspections.
Rainwater
Collecting it is allowed.
Composting toilets
Allowed without a state permit.
Water rights
Water belongs to whoever claimed it first. A new well or pond may need a state permit, and a creek may already be claimed.
Ask the seller for the well log, or look in the state's well records.
We found no public well records for this area.
Soil test
Get a soil test before you count on septic.
Rock or a hard layer sits about 43 inches down, which can rule out a standard system.
Zoning
Confirm with the borough whether the parcel is zoned.
Rural land in Alaska is often unzoned.
Nearby counties
5,160 people live in Aleutians West Census Area, about 1.2 per square mile. It ranks tied for 10th of the 30 Alaska counties we scored, and Alaska ranks 50th of 50 states.