

You can also save on taxes by designating your property as preserved wildlife. States like California and Texas offer significant tax breaks for agricultural landowners but may restrict their land’s function. If your land is large enough, it could zone as agricultural.

Property taxes vary by state and the size of your land. Avoid excess fees by finding out how much you’ll pay in property tax before committing to a location. No one wants to move off-grid to pay more in taxes. Most states indeed have some form of building regulation, so avoid fines by knowing what they are before you draw your plans.įor example, if you’re going solar, make sure you’re in a solar permitting zone and file for your project’s approval. Others may not allow you to live in make-shift housing like tiny homes, container homes, or off-grid cabins. Some states require you to use particular materials when building a homestead. These can make or break a property investment because they can limit the way you build on your land. When researching what states allow you to live off the grid, local building codes are a must know. Also, take into account the energy sources you plan on using in your home.įor example, if you are considering off-grid solar systems, your ideal system design will look different if you live in a predominantly sunny state like Arizona, versus a state in the cloudy Pacific Northwest. You’ll also want to be aware if you’re relocating to an area prone to natural disasters like flooding, wildfires, or tornados and ensure there are evacuation routes in place. You can use a site like to view historical weather patterns and averages across the United States. So do some research to figure out which state is home to your ideal climate. You likely already know your preference in the weather. Make sure you’re able to achieve your goals without government interference before you purchase your land. States who want to discourage residents from off-grid living may impose harsher laws that limit your ability to disconnect from the local electrical grid and sewer system. The serenity of off-grid living can turn into a nightmare if local laws and regulations are too strict. When researching the price of land, make sure you’re taking into account the land’s surroundings and condition. Natural resources are vital to off-grid living, and more often than not, you get what you pay for. While you may start by looking into cheaper land plots, you’ll want to be sure you’re not moving somewhere uninhabitable. Based on where you want to move, your budget will have to fit accordingly. Like real estate, land prices differ from state to state.

