Can you live off-grid in Deschutes County, Oregon?
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Major concerns
Possible, but hard and costly. Only about 11 inches of rain falls a year, so you will rely on a well (near 390 feet here) or hauled water. The growing season is only about 80 frost-free days, so plan on cold-hardy crops and a greenhouse.
What the land says
Rain
Desert rain. Plan on a well or hauled water, and on irrigating anything you grow.
About 11 inches a year (PRISM, 1991 to 2020 average)
Wells
Deep wells. Get a driller's quote before you offer.
The typical well here is about 390 feet deep; a well typically runs $19,000 to $43,000
Growing season
Very short. A greenhouse makes the difference.
About 80 frost-free days, USDA zone 6b; last frost about June 20, first about September 14
Sun
Good sun. Size the array and battery bank for winter.
About 5.2 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: Very Low 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
Flat to gentle, easy to build on.
Slopes average about 4%, about 3,880 feet above sea level
Soil
Expect a costlier septic system, because rock or a hard layer sits about 25 inches down. The county's soil test decides.
Loam, well drained (USDA soil survey). A mound, sand filter, or treatment unit typically runs $10,000 to $20,000
Road
Paved roads are close by.
Nearest paved road usually within about 1.1 miles (OpenStreetMap)
Check an Oregon 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
Deschutes County zones land outside its towns and publishes its zoning map. Our free lookup shows the district for any address.
Building code
Oregon's building code applies uniformly statewide, including the Oregon Residential Specialty Code for houses (based on the International Residential Code), and cities and counties cannot set different requirements without state approval. City or county building departments issue house permits and inspect, and the state Building Codes Division does it for some counties.
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 390 feet, with pump and pressure tank
Septic
$10,000 to $20,000
Mound, sand filter, or treatment unit
Solar and batteries
$19,000 to $36,000
Sized for a modest household
Road or driveway
$4,000 to $10,000
From the nearest road to a house site
Clearing
$1,000 to $5,000
A house site, solar, and garden
Total
$53,000 to $113,000
Before the house
Before you make an offer on land here
Well cost
Get a driller's quote.
Wells here run near 390 feet, so the well is a large cost.
Soil test
Get a soil test before you count on septic.
Rock or a hard layer sits about 25 inches down, which can rule out a standard system.
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.
Nearby counties
208,513 people live in Deschutes County, about 69.1 per square mile. It ranks tied for 33rd of the 36 Oregon counties we scored, and Oregon ranks 46th of 50 states.