Going off-grid technically means living without connection to public utilities, particularly electricity.
But for many people, it is more of an ideal. It means living independently and self-sufficiently beyond power needs.
It means having land, growing your own food, having animals that produce some of what you need and other things that are much more than being off-grid — old-fashioned homesteading.
Is Maine a good place to chase those ideals? We took a look at some of the things that affect people who choose off-grid living, and concluded that the answer depends on what you’re looking for.
If it’s saving money on taxes, working remotely in comfort or gardening with ease, probably not. If it’s privacy and do-it-yourself opportunities you’re after, maybe so.
Keep in mind that laws can vary by county or town here and in other states.
High expenses
People considering moving to Maine to live off-grid face a lot of costs and limited options. The state still has a housing crisis and the rising cost of land, both driven in part by new residents and investors from out of state, combined with high material prices lingering since the pandemic.
Aroostook County is the most affordable at this point, and only five more of the state’s 16 counties are considered within range for the average family.
Maine also has the highest property tax burden in the country and the fourth highest tax burden overall. The cost of living here is the 14th highest in the country.
Maine offers a homestead tax exemption, essentially removing $25,000 from a home’s value in tax calculations, which applies to permanent residents who have owned the property for a year.
Other states have similar programs at different levels. Florida, Texas, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Oklahoma are commonly named as offering the broader exemptions.
Less restrictive building codes and zoning
On the plus side, prospective homesteaders seeking land to build on are drawn by Maine’s relatively simple permitting process and less restrictive zoning laws. Sometimes, they turn to social media specifically to ask where they can build essentially unregulated.
Towns with a population of fewer than 4,000 people choose whether to enforce Maine’s statewide building and energy code, which regulates new construction. If they enforce any code, it has to be that one, by state law.
Other states have looser approaches outside of cities, including in parts of the South and Midwest. Some states have stricter statewide codes like California and Florida while others like Alabama, Colorado and North Dakota have none but allow counties or towns to establish their own or choose whether to enforce a statewide code.
Maine’s unorganized territories are governed by the Land Use Planning Commission, which provides zoning maps for the areas it covers.
In 2022, at least 200 Maine towns also didn’t have any zoning laws, which regulate what kinds of buildings can be constructed in different areas.
Energy rebates
Efficiency Maine offers rebates into the thousands of dollars for homeowners using geothermal heating and wood boilers. It doesn’t currently offer those incentives for solar panels or solar water heaters, but federal tax credits are available.
Solar power is growing in Maine, though cloudier weather means the state doesn’t typically make the top-10 lists for national solar production.
Off-grid homeowners will also save themselves from New England’s relatively high electricity costs.
Internet access
With these costs, it’s not unusual for people to move here with higher-paying remote jobs. But especially in northern Maine, internet access may be unavailable or not function at the speed home workers need.
Outside of its cities and the southern coast, much of the state still has more areas “unserved” by high-speed internet than not, according to the Maine Connectivity Authority.
To get around this, many use Starlink, which is connected by satellite.
Local employers including schools, healthcare agencies, trades and retail establishments seriously need workers if new arrivals are willing to take them, though wages are lower than the nationwide average.
Rainwater collection and groundwater access
You can collect rainwater at home without a permit in Maine, unlike some other states such as Colorado and Illinois, where water collection may require a permit or be limited.
When it comes to groundwater, which feeds private wells, Maine laws are among the loosest in the region and allow landowners to use as much as they want — for now. In much of New England, water laws are based on “reasonable use,” which limits what landowners can do based on impacts to others around them.
In the Southwest, in contrast, access to water is often heavily regulated and restricted. In Washington state, a “water right” permit is required to withdraw more than 5,000 gallons a day.
A short growing season
Northern Maine homesteaders have from three to four months to grow crops without danger of frost, from early June to September. In central Maine and toward the coast, the growing season typically runs from about mid-May to mid-September.
Investment in greenhouses, high tunnels, cold frames, covering fabric and other “season extenders” can expand that range.
In contrast, homesteaders in Florida could see 10 safely frost-free months. Those in other southern, midwestern and Great Plains states might have between five and seven months.
Veterinarian availability
Like most other rural states, Maine has a shortage of large animal veterinarians. For livestock to be seen by a veterinarian regularly and get medication, their owner needs to establish what’s called a veterinarian-client-patient relationship with a vet.
That can be hard to do, especially in more rural areas. Without that relationship, you’re also much less likely to get an emergency visit.
When getting animals in the first place, Mainers interested in heritage breeds or speciality genetics sometimes travel out of state to find the livestock they want.
Healthcare challenges
One of Maine’s largest medical providers that serves its northern rural counties is cutting services and locations across the state and expects more reductions. Towns are struggling to find and fund ambulance services, possibly leading to longer wait times. Psychiatrists are in short supply, pharmacies are shuttering and nursing homes are closing.
Maine isn’t alone in these challenges, either. Rural hospitals have been closing at higher rates in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi recently, among other states. It’s been a trend in rural America for at least 15 years.
Your outhouse needs a permit
Traditional septic fields must go through a state permitting process. Using a so-called alternative toilet, such as an outhouse or a composting toilet, legally requires the same health and construction regulation as an indoor bathroom. Licensed professionals need to inspect and evaluate the site.
It varies with local laws, but in some other states outhouses or alternative toilets may not be legal to build or may have more restrictions.
Community resources
Maine’s history as a destination for people seeking to farm, homestead or otherwise live unconventionally means there are more educational and community resources available here than some other states.
