Off-grid site report
Dallas County, AL
32.4327, -87.0140 · 135 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Dallas 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 rulesDallas County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyAlabama counties only get zoning power via specific state enabling acts, and no official Dallas County zoning ordinance was found. Inside Selma or another incorporated town, that municipality's zoning controls instead. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Dallas County ordinance on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found. Inside Selma, the City's Building Inspector's office would govern dwelling occupancy questions through local building/housing codes. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallySelma's Building Inspector's Office issues permits and enforces building/housing codes within city limits. No unincorporated Dallas County building permit authority was located, so confirm directly with the county if you're outside Selma. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedA permit is required before installing an onsite sewage system, administered by the Dallas County Health Department's Environmental Office under the Alabama Department of Public Health. Only installers licensed by the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board may install or service these systems statewide. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Dallas County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state ADPH greywater rule applies through the same onsite sewage permitting system administered by the county health department's Environmental Office. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Dallas County ordinance restricting non-potable rainwater harvesting was found; the state baseline of no restriction appears to apply.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell construction is governed statewide by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management under the Water Well Standards Act, filed by a licensed driller. No Dallas County-specific well authority was found; the Dallas County Water and Sewer Authority handles wastewater discharge, not wells.
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo official Dallas County or Selma ordinance requiring mandatory utility hookup was found in searches conducted.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,421 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 51 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,280 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 14 to Nov 19
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Vaughan Regional Medical Center - 2.5 mi
- Fire station
Selma Fire Department - 1.3 mi
- Hardware store
Marvin's - 0.2 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 36701).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Dallas 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.