Can you live off-grid in Los Alamos County, New Mexico?
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Major concerns
Possible, but hard and costly. Only about 17 inches of rain falls a year, so you will rely on a well (near 1,250 feet here) or hauled water. The sun is strong, about 6.2 hours of full sun a day, so a smaller solar array covers a household. The U.S. Forest Service rates wildfire risk high across much of the county, so plan cleared ground around the house.
What the land says
Rain
Too dry to live on rain. Plan on a well, and on irrigating anything you grow.
About 17 inches a year (PRISM, 1991 to 2020 average)
Wells
Very deep wells. The well may be your biggest single cost.
The typical well here is about 1,250 feet deep; a well typically runs $40,000 to $88,000
Growing season
Enough for most vegetables. Start tomatoes and peppers indoors.
About 165 frost-free days, USDA zone 6b; last frost about April 30, first about October 17
Sun
Strong sun. A modest solar array covers a household.
About 6.2 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
Wildfire
Wildfire risk is high across much of the county. Plan cleared ground around the house and fire-resistant materials.
U.S. Forest Service wildfire hazard map: Moderate to High here
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
Terrain
Steep in places. Driveways, septic, and foundations cost more.
Slopes average about 24%, about 6,940 feet above sea level
Soil
Good ground for a standard septic system. The county's soil test decides.
Loam, well drained (USDA soil survey). A standard system typically runs $5,000 to $10,000
Road
Paved roads are close by.
Nearest paved road usually within about 0.2 miles (OpenStreetMap)
Check a New Mexico 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
Los Alamos County zones land outside its towns and publishes its zoning map. Our free lookup shows the district for any address.
Building code
New Mexico has a statewide residential code, the 2021 New Mexico Residential Building Code (based on the 2021 International Residential Code), set by the state Construction Industries Division. Building a house normally needs a permit, issued by the Division or by a city or county that runs its own full-service building department.
Rainwater
Collecting it is allowed.
Composting toilets
Allowed.
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.
Drilled to about 1,250 feet, with pump and pressure tank
Septic
$5,000 to $10,000
Standard system
Solar and batteries
$23,000 to $36,000
Sized for a modest household
Road or driveway
$3,000 to $7,000
From the nearest road to a house site
Clearing
$1,000 to $4,000
A house site, solar, and garden
Total
$72,000 to $144,000
Before the house
Before you make an offer on land here
Well cost
Get a driller's quote.
Wells here run near 1,250 feet, so the well is a large cost.
Wildfire
Ask an insurance agent whether they will write a policy.
The U.S. Forest Service rates wildfire risk high across much of the county.
Zoning
Look up the parcel's zoning district with our free tool.
The county publishes its zoning map.
Nearby counties
19,444 people live in Los Alamos County, about 178.2 per square mile. It ranks 32nd of the 33 New Mexico counties we scored, and New Mexico ranks 41st of 50 states.