Land Selection Checklist

The first thing I looked at when choosing land was price. If it didn’t fit my budget, nothing else mattered.

If you're trying to decide whether a piece of land makes sense for off-grid living, this checklist will help you slow down and evaluate the basics before you commit.

This is not about finding perfect land. It is about finding land that fits your budget, your needs, and what you can realistically build over time.

For me, the first question was price. If the land did not fit within my means, nothing else mattered. After that came water, what I could legally build, and whether the property could support shelter, water, food, power, and income in a practical way.

Land Selection Checklist

This is the final step before you buy land.

If you are starting from scratch, follow this simple process:

1. Use the Off Grid County Directory to find areas that allow off-grid living.

2. Use the Land Locator to find properties in those areas.

3. Use this checklist to make sure the property actually fits your budget, water plan, and what you can realistically build.

You do not need every answer immediately, but slow down on any property with too many unknowns.

1. Does the price fit your real budget?

Start here first. If the property is not affordable, it is probably not the right fit. Be honest about what you can afford now, not just what you hope will work later.

  • Can you afford the land without putting yourself in a bad position?
  • What will closing costs, taxes, cleanup, access, and setup add to the total?
  • Will buying this land still leave room in your budget for the basics?

2. Can you solve water in a realistic way?

Water is one of the first real systems you need to understand. A property does not have to be perfect, but you need a workable plan.

  • Can you haul water to the property?
  • Can you drill a well if needed?
  • Can you collect rainwater there?
  • Which option makes the most sense for your budget and location?

Use the water calculator

3. What can you legally build there?

This can change everything. A small shop, shed, or simple structure can give you a place to begin building shelter, water, food, power, and income step by step.

  • Can you build a small structure without a permit?
  • Can you build a cabin, home, or tiny home?
  • Can you live in an RV, camper, or tent while you build?
  • What size structures require permits?
  • Are there restrictions on temporary or accessory structures?

4. Can this property support shelter, water, food, power, and income?

Think through the whole system, even if you will build it slowly. A property is more useful when it can support more than one part of your life at a time.

  • Shelter: Is there a realistic place to live or start building?
  • Water: Can you store, haul, collect, or produce water here?
  • Food: Is there room for gardening, animals, or food storage?
  • Power: Does solar make sense here? Is there good sun exposure?
  • Income: Can you run a small business or create income from this location?

5. Call the county and ask direct questions

Do not guess. Call the county and the departments involved. Ask clear questions and write the answers down.

  • What can I build on this parcel?
  • What requires a permit and what does not?
  • Can I live in an RV or camper?
  • Can I live in a tent temporarily?
  • What are the septic requirements?
  • Are alternative septic systems allowed?
  • Do I need a perc test?
  • What is the minimum home size?
  • Are tiny homes allowed?
  • Are there setback, floodplain, or access issues?

6. Check access, easements, and usability

A cheap piece of land can become expensive fast if access is bad or uncertain.

  • Is there legal access to the property?
  • Is there an easement if needed?
  • Can you reach it year round?
  • Can deliveries, building materials, and equipment get in?
  • Is the land actually usable, or just technically owned?

7. Check GIS, topography, and the surrounding area

Even if you cannot visit in person yet, maps can tell you a lot. They are not perfect, but they help reduce bad surprises.

  • Review the GIS map for parcel shape, roads, and surrounding properties
  • Check topography and elevation changes
  • Look for signs of flood risk or drainage problems
  • Look at nearby parcels for trash, heavy clutter, or obvious issues
  • Check whether the area looks workable and reasonably stable

8. Look at taxes and long term holding cost

Low purchase price does not always mean low ongoing cost.

  • What are the annual property taxes?
  • Are there HOA fees, road fees, or special assessments?
  • Will the holding cost still feel manageable in a slow season?

A simple way to think about it

If the land fits your budget, gives you a workable water plan, allows you to build what you need, and supports the five core systems over time, it may be worth pursuing.

If too many answers are unclear, slow down and keep looking. A little more patience up front can save a lot of trouble later.

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