Off-grid site report

Pierce County, NE

42.1991, -97.5271 · 1,588 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Pierce County, NE, 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 rulesPierce County, NE

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedPierce County has an adopted Zoning Resolution and Subdivision Regulations administered through the joint Madison/Pierce County Planning Department; this is not an unzoned county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Pierce County document specifically addresses tiny homes or RV occupancy; general zoning and dwelling rules likely apply. Ask the Planning Department directly.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedNebraska state statute requires a permit for new or added structures, filed with the city/village clerk in town or through the county in unincorporated areas; Pierce County's Assessor's Office handles building permit info locally. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic and onsite wastewater systems are regulated statewide by Nebraska's DWEE Onsite Wastewater Program; no Pierce County-specific variance was found, and permits are processed through that state system. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedGreywater falls under the same statewide DWEE onsite wastewater rules as septic; no separate Pierce County ordinance was found. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Pierce County or Nebraska state rule addressing rainwater harvesting was found in official sources, and no ban was identified either.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are registered with the state and permitted locally through the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District, which covers Pierce County; wells over 50 gpm need NRD permitting.
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo Pierce County ordinance was found requiring hookup to grid power or sewer, but state septic and well permitting requirements still apply to off-grid dwellings.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
5.0 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,451 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
29 in/yr
Snowfall
25 in/yr
Heating degree days
7,110 (cold)
Frost-free season
May 1 to Oct 1

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Osmond General Hospital
11.7 mi
Fire station
Osmond Fire Department
11.7 mi
Hardware store
Menards
12.6 mi
Grocery
Hy-Vee
12.7 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 68767).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.