I love california. It has everything. Mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, desert, etc. It's home to me now and where I want to live. I'm considering buying a plot of land sometime in the next year or two (probably 5-20 acres), and I'm trying to figure out what the best place to do it in would be. Most likely I want a plot of empty land with a well or stream that I could build a small house on, plant a garden, set up solar/hydro/wind, and live independently. I know the laws vary from county to county on what is allowed (i.e. rainwater harvesting, composting toilets, natural building, etc) and how difficult it is to get permits to build things and utilize resources. I will not buy land that does not have a water source on it, that's the most important thing to me. I know every property should be legally investigated before purchasing (easements and such). Any suggestions for which counties to start my search in?
