What you can legally do on your land is ultimately determined by local zoning restrictions.
Oklahoma, unlike Texas, does not have a lot of “no zoning” land.
However, agricultural (A-1) zoning covers a large portion of the territory. With few limits, you’ll be able to raise food, including most animals. The minimal lot size in most cases is only 2 acres.
If you intend to make money from your land, you may run into certain difficulties. In Agricultural and Rural areas, just a few commercial firms are permitted. It’s likely that you’ll need to apply for a permission.
Also, be aware that much of Oklahoma’s property is designated for protection or preservation. Even if you can live off-grid legally on this land, you’ll have a lot more constraints on how you may utilize it.
Qualifying As a Farm in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, if you qualify as a farmer, your land will be taxed on its use value rather than its market value. The amount of land needed to qualify varies by county, but it’s usually around 40 acres. Farmers who meet specific criteria are also eligible for a sales tax exemption on certain equipment.
You might also find this article helpful: How to Save Money on Taxes by Declaring a Homestead.
What state is the most convenient for living off the grid?
Off Grid Permaculture’s Daniel Mark Schwartz ranks Alabama as the best state for off-grid life. Alabama has a cheap cost of living, with comparatively modest land expenses and some of the lowest property taxes in the country. It also has a handful of counties that do not have building codes. Alabama is an ideal site for rainwater collection because it receives a lot of rain (56 inches per year) and state statutes allow for unrestricted water harvesting.
In the United States, where is it lawful to live off the grid?
Off-grid living rules differ not just by state, but also by municipalities and counties. Off-grid living is generally restricted in urban regions, as well as rich suburban neighborhoods, particularly those with homeowners associations. Small towns have also imposed limitations on common off-grid activities, which typically center on disconnecting from the electrical grid and sewer systems, albeit usually not as rigorous as in urban regions. Rural locations are the finest places to take advantage of off-grid living because they usually have the fewest restrictions and, aside from health department septic installation laws, even lack zoning constraints.
Rainwater collection laws, composting toilet requirements, solar energy restrictions, and completely unplugging from the electrical grid are all legislation to consider in each state. Many states also have laws and restrictions on selling raw milk from your off-grid homestead; building a permanent dwelling (using a tent or mobile home for an extended period of time could result in fines or eviction); the size of your home (your house may be too small in many states); and making sure any mobile home or manufactured home you buy meets minimum age requirements. Read your property deed carefully, since some may have livestock restrictions; how waste from a composting toilet is used or disposed of could also be a concern. Individual state-level regulations for each state can be found here.
While it is possible to live off the grid in every state, some states are better than others. The ten best states for off-grid living are Alabama, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, Indiana, Hawaii, Colorado, and Arkansas, based on six main categories of factors (cost of living, freedom of lifestyle, water availability, how easy it is to grow food, energy availability, and the area’s community). These states feature the lowest total living costs and property taxes, the most freedom for off-grid living, the least restrictive building codes, the finest off-grid water access, high off-grid solar or wind power potential, and favorable growing conditions for agricultural gardens.
Which states are the most suitable for living off-grid?
Today, I was debating which state is the greatest for living off the grid. So I went out and researched 12 critical elements that make a state suitable for off-grid life. It’s possible that you’ll be astonished to learn which states came out on top.
What states are the greatest for living off the grid? In a detailed 12-factor analysis of off-grid states, these ten states came out on top:
You might be wondering how I came up with this list. What makes these states ideal for living off the grid? I’ve broken down exactly how I came up with this list, as well as all of the details of my research on all 50 states, so you can understand why your state of choice made the cut or didn’t.
What is the minimum amount of money required to begin living off the grid?
How much does it cost to live off the grid? For typical off-grid living conditions, the cost ranges from $12,000 to $450,000. Monthly expenses range from $35 to $2,200 on average. This accounts for off-grid living expenses such as housing, heating, water, and gardening.
Where can I get a free place to live?
There is still undeveloped acreage available. Many out-of-the-way towns and villages are currently giving plots for free or nearly free if you are willing to live there. There are other options for farm caretakers or land contract arrangements in the country that aren’t posted online. You must be aware of where to look. Finally, there are many undeveloped parcels of property that could be yours for free if you take advantage of an obscure legislation known as “adverse possession,” which exists in some form in all 50 states!
Free Land in the US
While the original homesteading act is no longer in effect, several distant cities around the United States are giving free land in exchange for the construction of a home and a commitment to live in the city for a defined amount of time. Here is a list of all the communities in the United States that offer free land to residents:
- Nebraska’s Beatrice
- Buffalo is a city in New York State.
- Nebraska’s Loup City
- Kansas City, Marquette
- New Richland is a town in Minnesota.
- Plainnville is a town in Kansas.
Is it less expensive to live off the grid?
Overall, living off-grid is a less expensive way to live once you have everything set up. Renewable energy is less expensive, eating off the land is less expensive (but requires more maintenance), and living in a less opulent home can also save you money.
Is it allowed to use outhouses in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s law governing on-site wastewater treatment systems is extremely ambiguous.
The law permits “alternative systems,” although it is unclear which ones are permitted. As a result, many off-grid waste systems, such as outhouses and compost toilets, operate in a legal limbo. The permit issuer will ultimately decide whether or not your proposal is permitted.
Septic
You’ll require a soil test from a State-certified soil profiler to install septic in Oklahoma. A permit is required for all new installations and changes.
In Oklahoma, it is permissible to install your own septic system. Non-certified installers’ systems, on the other hand, will need to be evaluated before they can be used. If you use a certified installer, you won’t need an inspection.
Installing a septic system usually necessitates at least 1/2 acre of property. In Water Body Protection Areas, only more modern nitrate-reduction technologies are permitted (WBPA).
Compost Toilets
Oklahoma’s sewage treatment laws currently do not include composting toilets. Rather, the statute stipulates that “alternative systems must be certified by the Department of Environmental Quality” (DEQ).
The good news is that in Oklahoma, alternative toilets like as composting toilets are becoming more popular.
However, in the absence of specific restrictions, the local DEQ office will ultimately decide whether or not you can use a compost toilet.
Don’t be surprised if you’re required to have a septic tank installed to deal with waste.
Also check out:
- What is the Process of Using Composting Toilets?
- Composting Toilet in a 5 Gallon Bucket
- For Off-Grid Use, the Best Composting Toilet
Outhouses/Latrines
Oklahoma’s onsite sewage restrictions and regulations make no mention of outhouses. They might, however, be accepted as a “alternative system.”
You won’t be issued a permit for an outhouse unless you live in a particularly rural location or in a circumstance where installing a septic tank is difficult, rendering it unlawful to use.
- Sewage Treatment Systems that aren’t connected to the power grid
- The Best Way to Dig a Latrine
Garbage Removal
As long as you are not causing a nuisance, Oklahoma state law enables you to dispose of garbage on your own property. As a result, you are not obligated to use the municipal garbage collection service (though some local laws may require it).
In certain isolated places where trash collection services are nonexistent, you can even burn rubbish.
The guidelines for burning can be found here.
Are you an Oklahoman who lives off the grid? Please share your thoughts in the comments box below.
Is it necessary to obtain a permit in order to construct a cabin in the woods?
In most areas, you can construct a modest cottage on private property without obtaining a construction permit. If the cabin is small enough, you may not need to obtain a permit prior to construction. Each municipality, however, has its own set of building codes.
Building permits may be required in some counties for projects larger than 100 square feet, while others may allow structures up to 400 square feet. Smaller structures, such as sheds, barns, workshops, and cabins, are sometimes exempt from local building standards and may not require approval or inspection.
Cost-effectiveness
In the long term, generating your own electricity may be less expensive than continuing to utilize power from the local grid, especially if you have access to good renewable resources (wind or solar).
Connections to local lines might cost tens of thousands of dollars for residences in rural places. It may be less expensive to generate your own electricity. In metropolitan regions, it may also be an alternative. The setup costs are now somewhat substantial, however they are decreasing.
You may be able to sell any excess electricity back to your power provider if you are linked to the grid and generate your own electricity.
Guaranteed connection
You can have security of supply even if there is a blackout or if your local electrical network is shut down if you can create and store your own electricity, either individually or collectively with neighbors. This allows you to be considerably more self-sufficient from the grid, which might be essential in times of civil unrest or terrible weather.
Environmental impact
In 2016, renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind, bio-energy, and geothermal generated about 84 percent of New Zealand’s electricity. The remainder is derived from the combustion of fossil fuels such as gas or coal, a process that emits greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change.
Which state is the greatest for homesteading?
With a good harvesting season of roughly 9 months of the year and low property taxes and costs, rural Tennessee is already a popular destination for sustainable living aficionados. Add in advantageous homesteading rules, good farmland, rainwater collection allowances, and a slew of additional liberties. As a result, Tennessee is our top choice for the finest homesteading state in the United States. Homesteading laws prevent families from losing their whole property to creditors, and the state even offers a $5,000 homesteading exemption, which is competitive with other jurisdictions.