New York · off-grid water rights
Whether a new off-grid home can legally get its own water in New York: the state well and water-rights rules, then the 2 counties where a specific groundwater basin adds a catch — each cited to the state water agency.
New York water rules
Statewide, private residential wells need no state withdrawal permit. On Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk) county health departments require a local permit to construct a private well plus water-quality certification.
Limit: state withdrawal permit only for systems >=100,000 gpd; domestic wells exempt
NY Environmental Conservation Law 15-1501 ↗Reuse allowed subject to local jurisdiction approval; no by-right tier.
Greywater Action / EPA REUSExplorer ↗Region-specific permitting; small domestic uses exempt.
National Agricultural Law Center ↗2 constrained counties in New York
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See the full New York county ranking, compare states on the water-rights hub, or read how water access is scored. Physical water is dimmed — never erased — where a county sits in one of these basins, household-first.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.