Off-grid site report
Crenshaw County, AL
31.7046, -86.2640 · 345 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Crenshaw County, AL, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesCrenshaw County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo Crenshaw County zoning ordinance, planning department, or code host was found. Alabama counties lack general zoning authority outside the Municipal Zoning Enabling Act, so unincorporated county land may have no zoning, but this isn't confirmed; ask the County Commission. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling size was found. Likely unregulated in unincorporated areas given the absence of zoning, but not confirmed by an official source.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo dedicated Crenshaw County building permit office or page was found; the only official reference point is the Alabama Building Commission's statewide code page. Confirm with the County Commission whether any building permit process applies locally. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Crenshaw County Health Department, part of the Alabama Department of Public Health, issues onsite sewage disposal permits and handles septic tank and holding tank applications, following the statewide ADPH process. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater rule exists; greywater is governed by ADPH's statewide onsite sewage regulations, administered through the Crenshaw County Health Department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Crenshaw County or Alabama state rule restricting rainwater harvesting was found in official sources.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell construction is regulated at the state level by ADEM under the Water Well Standards Act; the Crenshaw County Health Department separately offers private well water testing as a service. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo county or state ordinance requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities was found, so living off the utility grid appears permitted.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,420 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 56 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,767 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 1 to Nov 5
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Crenshaw Community Hospital - 0.8 mi
- Fire station
Brantley Fire & Rescue - 8.5 mi
- Hardware store
4 Byrds Building and Industrial Supplies - 8.5 mi
- Grocery
Dixieland - 8.5 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 36049).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Crenshaw County, AL?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.