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.
Found a county you like? Go to Step 2: Off-Grid Land Locator
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: March 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 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 Frugal Off-Grid Path
to build with more structure, less pressure, and fewer expensive mistakes.
Found a county that fits your plan? Move to Step 2 and start looking at real properties.
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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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 researching multiple counties and want a faster way to narrow land that fits off grid goals, you can use the Frugal Off Grid Land Locator to explore regions before digging into county level details.
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.