Off-grid site report

Cloud County, KS

39.5722, -97.5556 · 1,339 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Cloud County, KS, 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 rulesCloud County, KS

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyCloud County has no countywide zoning ordinance, so unincorporated land appears unrestricted by county zoning. Concordia, the county seat, administers its own city zoning through its Building and Zoning Department, and it's not confirmed whether other towns in the county have zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-level rule on dwelling size, tiny homes, or RVs was found. Concordia's city code reportedly sets a minimum dwelling size and permit process within city limits, but this wasn't confirmed against an official Concordia code text.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyCloud County has no countywide building code. Concordia requires building permits within city limits; unincorporated areas appear to have no county building-permit requirement. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedCloud County requires septic permits and inspections administered by the County Sanitarian (contracted to NCK Environmental LEPP), under the county's sanitary code, including inspection at real estate transactions. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Cloud County-specific greywater rule was found; this likely falls back to Kansas KDHE's general onsite wastewater standards, administered by the same Sanitarian's office. Confirm directly with that office. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Cloud County restriction on rainwater collection was found. Kansas's Water Appropriation Act provides a statewide domestic-use exemption that governs here.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedCloud County requires a well permit, administered locally through the County Sanitarian/LEPP office, which KDHE's statewide list confirms as one of the counties with its own well permitting. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Cloud County ordinance was found requiring utility hookups as a condition of occupancy in unincorporated areas. Any such requirement would come from a specific town's code, not confirmed here.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,509 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 28 in/yr
Snowfall: 20 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,408 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 18 to Oct 18

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Cloud County Health Center: 6.3 mi
Fire station Concordia Fire Department: 5.6 mi
Hardware store Concordia Do-it Best Hardware: 4.4 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 5.8 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 66901).

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.