Can you live off-grid in Craven County, North Carolina?
85
of 100
Good with caveats
Yes, but hurricanes will be the challenge. NOAA counts seven hurricane-strength storms within 50 miles since 1975, so build to the wind code and plan for long outages. Water is easy here, with about 54 inches of rain a year and wells near 80 feet. Flood zones cover parts of the county, so look up any parcel on FEMA's flood map before you offer.
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 54 inches a year (PRISM, 1991 to 2020 average)
Wells
Shallow wells, so drilling should be one of the cheaper costs.
The typical well here is about 80 feet deep; a well typically runs $4,000 to $9,000
Growing season
Long enough for a spring and a fall garden.
About 243 frost-free days, USDA zone 8b; last frost about March 19, first about November 19
Sun
Good sun. Size the array and battery bank for winter.
About 5.1 hours of full sun a day, averaged over the year
Flood
Flood zones cover parts of the county. Look up any parcel on FEMA's flood map before you offer.
FEMA maps flood zones in parts of the county
Wildfire
Moderate wildfire risk. Keep brush cleared around the house.
U.S. Forest Service wildfire hazard map: Very Low to Moderate here
Storms
Expect about four hurricanes within 50 miles over 30 years. Build to the wind code and keep a week of fuel and water. Strong tornadoes pass through now and then. A safe room is worth pricing.
NOAA: seven hurricane-strength storms within 50 miles since 1975; about 2 strong (EF2 or stronger) tornadoes a decade within 25 miles
Terrain
Flat to gentle, easy to build on.
Slopes average about 2%, about 10 feet above sea level
Soil
Good ground for a standard septic system. The county's soil test decides.
Loamy sand, moderately 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 0.8 miles (OpenStreetMap)
Check a North Carolina 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 county before you build.
Building code
North Carolina's State Building Code, including the North Carolina Residential Code for houses, applies throughout the state, and every county and city must run or contract for building inspections. A new house needs a building permit from the county or city inspections department.
Rainwater
Collecting it is allowed.
Composting toilets
Allowed.
Water rights
Owners of land along a creek or lake can make reasonable use of its water.
Drilled to about 80 feet, with pump and pressure tank
Septic
$5,000 to $10,000
Standard system
Solar and batteries
$21,000 to $38,000
Sized for a modest household
Road or driveway
$2,000 to $6,000
From the nearest road to a house site
Clearing
$1,000 to $3,000
A house site, solar, and garden
Total
$33,000 to $67,000
Before the house
Before you make an offer on land here
Flood map
Look up the parcel on FEMA's flood map.
Flood zones cover parts of the county. Building in one means flood insurance and extra permits.
Zoning
Confirm with the county whether the parcel is zoned.
Rural land in North Carolina is often unzoned.
Soil test
Get a soil test before you count on septic.
The county has to approve the ground before it issues a septic permit.
Nearby counties
102,391 people live in Craven County, about 144.9 per square mile. It ranks tied for 75th of the 100 North Carolina counties we scored, and North Carolina ranks 2nd of 50 states.