Can you live off-grid in Sweetwater County, Wyoming?
63
of 100
Major concerns
Possible, but hard and costly. Only about 9 inches of rain falls a year, so you will rely on a well or hauled water. The sun is strong, about 5.6 hours of full sun a day, so a smaller solar array covers a household. The growing season is only about 103 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 9 inches a year (PRISM, 1991 to 2020 average)
Wells
Well depth varies a lot here. Get a local driller's quote before you offer.
Typical well depths here range from 20 feet to 310 feet
Growing season
Very short. A greenhouse makes the difference.
About 103 frost-free days, USDA zone 5a; last frost about June 5, first about September 17
Sun
Strong sun. A modest solar array covers a household.
About 5.6 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
Low wildfire risk.
U.S. Forest Service wildfire hazard map: Very Low 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 6%, about 6,840 feet above sea level
Soil
Expect a costlier septic system, because rock or a hard layer sits about 22 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
Dirt tracks. Plan to build or maintain your own road.
Nearest road often a dirt track, about 1.1 miles away (OpenStreetMap)
Check a Wyoming 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
No mandatory statewide residential code. Counties and cities adopt codes locally or have none.
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.
Depends on depth, which varies here. Get a driller's quote.
Septic
$10,000 to $20,000
Mound, sand filter, or treatment unit
Solar and batteries
$18,000 to $34,000
Sized for a modest household
Road or driveway
$8,000 to $21,000
From the nearest road to a house site
Clearing
$1,000 to $4,000
A house site, solar, and garden
Total
$38,000 to $79,000
Before the house, plus the well
Before you make an offer on land here
Well depth
Get a local driller's depth estimate.
Typical well depths here range from 20 feet to 310 feet.
Soil test
Get a soil test before you count on septic.
Rock or a hard layer sits about 22 inches down, which can rule out a standard system.
Road access
Confirm a recorded easement to the parcel.
The nearest roads are often dirt tracks.
Nearby counties
41,249 people live in Sweetwater County, about 4 per square mile. It ranks tied for 21st of the 23 Wyoming counties we scored, and Wyoming ranks 43rd of 50 states.