Off Grid County Directory: Find Friendly Counties, Zoning, Permits, and GIS Links

This directory organizes official county resources across the United States for people researching off grid counties by state and the best counties for off grid living, including zoning, permits, ordinances, forms, and parcel maps.

New here? Start here. Or find your county below.


Last updated: March 2026

Jump to Counties With Fewer Restrictions

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.

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

If you're looking to buy land, here’s a simple way to approach it:

  1. Start with the County Directory to find areas that allow what you want to do
  2. Use the Land Locator to find available properties in that county
  3. Run the property through the Land Selection Checklist before you commit

Take it one step at a time. You don’t need to figure everything out at once.

Start by selecting a state below, then open the counties listed to review the official zoning, permit, GIS, and land use resources for that area.

Quick navigation

International

Germany

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

New Jersey

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

Virginia

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Virginia generally enforces zoning, building permits, and land use regulations at the county level, including in rural areas.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

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.

Frugal Off Grid Land Locator

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.

Read the free beginner guide

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.

Start by selecting a state below, then open the counties listed to review the official zoning, permit, GIS, and land use resources for that area.

Quick navigation

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

Massachusetts

At this time, we did not identify any counties in this state that clearly meet the criteria for lower-regulation or off-grid-friendly conditions.

This directory focuses on highlighting counties with fewer restrictions or more flexible rural use patterns. Some states are more regulated overall, which can make this harder to find.

If conditions change or better candidates are identified, this section will be updated.

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Still comparing areas?

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