Off Grid In Washington (Spokane, Centralia: for sale, movers, credit)

[Princess1969]

My husband and I are interested in selling our current home in Vader, WA and buying 5+ acres somewhere at least somewhat close by where we can live off grid and be mostly self sufficient without a lot of building and living regulations.

Any insight, advise, properties for sale, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!

[Olympian2]

I had to use Google Maps to find Vader, WA, so I wouldn't know of anyplace nearby you. It doesn't sound you are "prepping", but you might find some helpful information in this thread:

Any advice from Preppers on future home in WA?

This thread is not about prepping and might be helpful to you:

Cabin without need for building permit?

[PS90]

I also don't know much about Vader; I do know that it's a tiny little town, but it's certainly not isolated (if that's what you're looking for) - it's basically on the I-5 Corridor, or close to it- maybe a 5 minute drive to get on the freeway, and about 20 minutes from Centralia/Chehalis.

If you're looking to get away in Lewis County, I would look around Randall or Packwood - much more isolated than Vader.

[StealthRabbit]

start here
Solar Washington | Advancing Solar Energy in Washington State
Current Incentives | Solar Washington

There are some real movers and shakers in the PUD industry who have done a lot to enable legislation in WA. I would head to one of their counties.!

WAC 458-20-273: Renewable energy system cost recovery.
Washington Solar | SEIA

Beware of the sharks (companies doing business to rape homeowners using 'tax credit / incentives'). They have been lurking since the 1970's. I was really surprised they all reappeared at the pig trough of the latest gov funded 'rebates'... (solar / alternative energy does not have to be expensive).

There is a national solar day every fall, where you can visit solar / earth friendly homes in your area of choice (Several in East and West WA and OR.)

Be sure to attend events here:
Washington Solar | SEIA
SolWest Fair - John Day — Solar Oregon

Been doing alternative energy since 1970...

[Tac-Sea]

I've looked into this and basically it's illegal to do long term. Waste disposal, code, etc. I wanted an off grid cabin but in my other thread I was basically informed it was illegal. Yes, you can buy a home depot shed and put it on some land, but if you live in it you are breaking the law.

[mistyriver]

Originally Posted by Tac-Sea

I've looked into this and basically it's illegal to do long term. Waste disposal, code, etc. I wanted an off grid cabin but in my other thread I was basically informed it was illegal. Yes, you can buy a home depot shed and put it on some land, but if you live in it you are breaking the law.

Best to get away from the metropolitan areas to live off grid.

My family and I lived off grid in Idaho for many years and I know people in eastern WA. And in OR who,live off grid and have for years. Our county in Idaho still has no building inspections, etc. You get inexpensive site location permits and a septic permit and get going.

[Olympian2]

Originally Posted by Tac-Sea

I've looked into this and basically it's illegal to do long term. Waste disposal, code, etc. I wanted an off grid cabin but in my other thread I was basically informed it was illegal. Yes, you can buy a home depot shed and put it on some land, but if you live in it you are breaking the law.

That means that you needed to find a place for sale where these "building codes" and such are just things that I read about on the Internet: looking to build a low impact home. Which county?

[509]

Stevens County is where you want to be.....for those of you in western Washington it is north of Spokane about 50 miles.

http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/landserv...gOrdinance.pdf

[j_k_k]

I think you want to be in Boundary County, Idaho.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by 509

Stevens County is where you want to be.....for those of you in western Washington it is north of Spokane about 50 miles.

http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/landserv...gOrdinance.pdf

Originally Posted by j_k_k

I think you want to be in Boundary County, Idaho.

I have lived in both of those areas as well as Okanogan County - and although I have never lived "off the grid", I can tell you that Okanogan County has far more people doing this than either of those. I don't know if it has to do with the building regulations or just the remote-ness of some of the areas there, but if you really want a off-the-grid/hermitlive-off-the-land lifestyle in the PNW, I would suggest North East Okanogan County.