The Frugal Off Grid County Directory™
Find Friendly Counties Before Buying Land
This is where you start before you look at any land.
Compare zoning, GIS maps, land rules, and county resources to start with clarity.
New to the directory? The videos and instructions below explain how to use it.
Most people get this wrong and end up buying property they can’t legally use.
If you’re trying to figure out where off-grid living is actually allowed, start with the county, not the land.
This directory organizes official county resources across the United States for people researching the best off-grid states, friendly off-grid counties, and county-level zoning, permit, ordinance, and parcel map information.
New to off-grid living? Start here for structured off-grid education for beginners.
See How the Off-Grid County Directory Works
The Off-Grid County Directory uses the same process I used to find the county I live in.
New here? Start here. Or find your state below.
👉 Get the free Off-Grid Beginner Guide
Last updated: July 2026
This is the same approach I used before choosing land and building everything here.
How to Use This Directory
Off-grid rules are usually set at the county level, not the state. This directory helps you quickly find official zoning, permit, and GIS information so you can research an area before buying land. The directory is not an exhaustive list of every county. It focuses on counties that met criteria suggesting they may be more lenient or friendly to off-grid living.
The 4-Step Off-Grid Land System
✓ Step 1: Find a County That Fits Your Plan
Research county rules before searching for land.
→ Step 2: Find Real Land in That Area
Use the Off-Grid Land Locator to search for properties that fit your goals.
Step 3: Verify the Land Before You Buy
Run each property through the Land Selection Checklist before committing.
Step 4: Build Your Frugal Homestead
Use the Step 4 resources to build with more structure, less pressure, and fewer expensive mistakes.
The four-step system is free to use, and you can work through each step at your own pace.
If I were starting over today, though, I would want the entire process available from the beginning. That's why I created the Frugal Off-Grid Path. It brings the training, guides, and tools together in one place, including unlimited Land Locator searches and monthly live Q&A access.
You can start with the Path at any step, even before you've found a county or purchased land. Explore the Complete Frugal Off-Grid Path →
Take it one step at a time. You don’t need to figure everything out at once.
Start with the county, not the land.
“We checked with the county first, made an offer, and we’re closing next month. John’s system for buying works.”
This is exactly why the 4-Step Off-Grid Land System starts with the county first.
Reader feedback
“Deciding where to look for land has been the biggest challenge for me for many years. You made it seem not only possible, but kind of easy.”
— Dustin
Browse by State
Select a state to open its county list and official local research links.
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Alabama
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Alaska
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Arizona
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Arkansas
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California
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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Florida
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Georgia
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Hawaii
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Idaho
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Illinois
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Indiana
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Iowa
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Kansas
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Kentucky
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Louisiana
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Maine
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
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Minnesota
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Mississippi
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Missouri
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Montana
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Nebraska
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Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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New Mexico
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New York
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North Carolina
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North Dakota
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Ohio
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Oklahoma
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Oregon
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Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island
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South Carolina
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South Dakota
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Tennessee
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Texas
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Utah
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Vermont
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Virginia
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Washington
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West Virginia
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Wisconsin
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Wyoming
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Step 1 Complete?
Found a county that looks promising?
Step 2 is simple. Search for actual land inside that county using the Land Locator.
Go to Step 2: Find Land3 free searches per day. Unlimited searches are available with a one-time $9.99 pass.
International
Looking outside the United States? Browse international regions here.
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International Off Grid Regions
Planning, building, and GIS resources
If you are new to off-grid living and want a clearer picture of what actually matters long term, I put together a free beginner guide that walks through shelter, water, food, power, and income in a practical way.
Disclaimer: This directory links to official public county resources only. It does not provide legal advice and does not interpret regulations. Always confirm details directly with the county.