Off-grid site report

Houston County, MN

43.7633, -91.5685 · 682 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Houston County, MN, 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 rulesHouston County, MN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedHouston County has a countywide Zoning Ordinance administered by the Planning & Zoning Office, applying outside incorporated cities, adopted under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 394. Raw-land camping/occupancy without a permanent structure isn't separately addressed in available sources; ask the county directly. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe county ordinance has a dedicated section on manufactured homes and RVs, suggesting real restrictions on RVs as permanent dwellings, but the exact standards weren't retrievable. State law bars outright bans on manufactured/modular homes that meet other zoning rules. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyHouston County does not enforce a building code, per the county's own permits page, but Minnesota state law still requires electrical and plumbing inspections regardless. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems, including composting/incinerating toilets under the same state rules chapter, are permitted through Houston County's SSTS program, which requires a signed permit from the Zoning Administrator before construction, per Minnesota Rules 7080-7083. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Houston County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it likely falls under the county's SSTS program. Confirm directly with Planning & Zoning/Environmental Services.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found. Outdoor barrel collection appears unregulated by state default, while indoor plumbed systems would need state plumbing review, but this isn't confirmed for Houston County specifically.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedHouston County is not a delegated well program, so private water-supply wells are permitted directly through the Minnesota Department of Health under Minnesota Statutes chapter 103I, via a licensed well contractor. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo ordinance was found requiring or prohibiting grid/utility hookup for occupancy in Houston County; septic, well, and electrical inspection appear to be the practical checkpoints. Confirm with Planning & Zoning.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,375 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 35 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,837 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 10 to Sep 29

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center: 16.2 mi
Fire station Houston Fire Station: 0.5 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 9.6 mi
Grocery Rushford IGA: 9.7 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 55943).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.