Off-grid site report
Randolph County, AL
33.1641, -85.3663 · 804 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Randolph 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 rulesRandolph County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedThe Randolph County Commission states it has no legal authority to issue zoning ordinances, so there are no zoning restrictions on unincorporated land outside municipal limits and police jurisdictions. Inside towns like Roanoke or Wedowee, municipal zoning applies instead. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo countywide rule on tiny homes or RVs was found; not confirmed for unincorporated land. Roanoke's municipal zoning ordinance sets manufactured-housing standards inside city limits only.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county has not adopted a building code or permit requirement for unincorporated areas, but the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board requires licensed residential builders to follow the state Residential Building Code. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedNew septic systems need a permit and inspection through the Randolph County Health Department under ADPH's standard process; the county also flags certain local soils as problematic for septic function. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Randolph County-specific greywater rule was found; it likely falls under the statewide ADPH greywater rule administered by the same county health department, but this is not confirmed locally.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county or state rule restricting non-potable rainwater harvesting was found in the research.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedADEM does not regulate individual private wells or fund their testing; it directs residents to the local health department or a certified lab for water quality and to a certified well driller for construction. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo county ordinance requiring hookup to public water or sewer was found for unincorporated land, consistent with the county's lack of a permitting system there. source
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
- 1,359 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 53 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,919 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 3 to Oct 31
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Tanner Medical Center/East Alabama - 11.2 mi
- Fire station
Rock Stand Volunteer Fire Department - 4.6 mi
- Hardware store
Roanoke ACE Home Center - 2.7 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 36274).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Randolph 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.