Off-grid site report
Jones County, SD
43.8881, -100.7097 · 2,320 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jones County, SD, 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 rulesJones County, SD
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyState law (SDCL 11-2) lets counties opt into zoning, but no Jones County zoning ordinance or planning page was found. It's unconfirmed whether the county has adopted zoning at all; ask the courthouse. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Jones County ordinance on tiny homes, RV living, or minimum dwelling size was found, and no state law fills the gap. Not confirmed either way.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifySouth Dakota has no mandatory statewide residential building code, and no Jones County building department or permit page was found, so it's not confirmed whether the county requires permits in unincorporated areas. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems, including alternative systems, are regulated statewide by South Dakota DANR/DENR under Administrative Rules Chapter 74:53:01. It is not confirmed whether Jones County adds its own local permitting layer on top of the state process. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo statewide statute or Jones County rule specifically addresses greywater reuse. Ask the state DANR onsite wastewater program since no separate county environmental health office was confirmed.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo dedicated South Dakota statute on rainwater harvesting was found, and nothing Jones-County-specific either. Domestic water use is generally exempt from DANR water-rights permitting, which may be relevant but isn't a direct answer.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells statewide are regulated by the South Dakota DANR Water Rights Program under state well construction standards, generally requiring a licensed well driller. No Jones County supplemental rule was found.
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo South Dakota law bars living disconnected from utilities. Electrical work is licensed through the South Dakota Electrical Commission, with an owner's exemption for wiring your own home; no added Jones County restriction was found. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,486 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 20 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 43 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,064 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 1 to Oct 6
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
- none within range
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Moore Building Center - 0.1 mi
- Grocery
Murdo Family Foods - 0.2 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 57559).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Jones County, SD?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.