Off-grid site report
Harris County, TX
29.6047, -95.1702 · 36 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Harris County, TX, 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 rulesHarris County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyHarris County has no countywide zoning ordinance, and much of unincorporated area is unrestricted by zoning, but private deed restrictions, plat notes, easements, and floodplain/health rules still apply. Incorporated cities within the county set their own zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo minimum house size found, but a development/building permit is required for essentially any structure or land change in unincorporated Harris County; RV/manufactured home rules mainly run through city-licensed parks or floodplain permits. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Harris County Engineering Department issues building permits for unincorporated areas and has required residential permits for single-family/duplex homes since September 1, 2009; no general contractor license is required. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems (OSSFs) are permitted through Harris County's Wastewater Quality Permitting division, acting as the state's local agent under a Harris County local order and state rule 30 TAC 285. Composting toilets as standalone systems aren't addressed in official sources, so confirm directly. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Harris County greywater ordinance or guidance was found; it's presumably covered under the OSSF/state 30 TAC 285 framework, but this isn't confirmed. Ask the county's Wastewater Quality Permitting office.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedHarris County's own Low Impact Development design guidance promotes rainwater harvesting to reduce stormwater detention needs and municipal water dependence, with no extra permit found specific to residential systems.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyWells are regulated by the State of Texas through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, not the county; Texas follows the rule of capture, and a Groundwater Conservation District may add rules under Texas Water Code Chapter 36. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Harris County ordinance was found requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities in unincorporated areas; practical limits come from septic permitting requirements and private deed restrictions.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,422 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 55 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,220 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 3 to Dec 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Plaza Specialty Hospital - 15.4 mi
- Fire station
Houston Fire Department Station 93 - 1.2 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 4.3 mi
- Grocery
Hong Kong Market - 2.9 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 77089).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Harris County, TX?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 21, 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.