Off-grid site report
Montgomery County, TX
30.1868, -95.4901 · 177 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Montgomery 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 rulesMontgomery County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedMontgomery County has no general zoning authority over unincorporated land, per Texas's constitutional limits on county power, but a countywide Development Permit is required for most land changes. Cities inside the county zone separately and can be much stricter. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance setting minimum dwelling size or specifically addressing tiny homes/RVs-as-residences was found; each dwelling needs a Development Permit and its own 911 address. Confirm specifics with the county permitting office.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyUnincorporated county doesn't require permits for residential roofing or rooftop solar and has no full residential building code, but does enforce Fire Code and floodplain Development Permits. Cities like Montgomery enforce a full ICC/NEC permit system instead. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedMontgomery County Environmental Health Services administers state OSSF rules locally, recommends 1.5+ acres for septic plus well, and has added stricter local rules like banning portable toilets as permanent restrooms. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater page was found; it's presumably handled under the same state OSSF permitting as septic, through Environmental Health Services. Confirm directly with that office.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedThe Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District actively promotes rainwater harvesting, including a subsidized rain barrel program, and no county restriction was found.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are permitted but must be registered with the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District; non-exempt wells need permits and follow spacing/production rules, though existing wells are generally grandfathered. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo unincorporated-county ordinance requiring utility hookup was found, unlike some cities (e.g., City of Montgomery) where water/sewer connection is required for a building permit. Confirm with the relevant office based on parcel location. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,434 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 50 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,580 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 27 to Dec 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Nexus Specialty Hospital Shenandoah Campus - 1.8 mi
- Fire station
The Woodlands Fire Department - 2.4 mi
- Hardware store
A&A Stone and Masonry - 3.9 mi
- Grocery
Kroger - 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 77381).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Montgomery 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.