Off-grid site report
Alachua County, FL
29.7011, -82.3886 · 148 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Alachua County, FL, 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 rulesAlachua County, FL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyAlachua County's Unified Land Development Code sets density, lot size, and setbacks by zoning district countywide (unincorporated areas); Rural Cluster districts require at least 1 acre for well/septic homes. Municipalities within the county have separate codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedRVs and Tiny Houses on Wheels are allowed as a limited use, one per lot, only in certain zoning districts, and require a zoning compliance permit; ADUs are allowed accessory to a main house in several residential/agricultural districts with a size cap. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county Building Division requires permits for construction and system work under the Florida Building Code; fees are value-based, so confirm with the Building Division directly. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic permitting stays with the Alachua County Health Department's Environmental Health division (state DOH rules); Alachua was not moved to direct state DEP permitting. Composting toilets aren't addressed in a county-specific rule, so ask Environmental Health. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Alachua County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this likely defaults to the state's general plumbing code baseline, but that's not confirmed locally. Ask the county Health Department or Building Division.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Alachua County ordinance on rainwater harvesting/cisterns was found. Not confirmed; check with the Building Division before installing a system.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyAlachua County spans two water management districts: the St. Johns River WMD portion requires well registration with the county's Environmental Protection Department (permit only needed for wells 6 inches or larger), while the Suwannee River WMD portion handles its own well permitting and contractor licensing. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ban on off-grid living was found, but occupied dwellings still need an approved septic system and, if applicable, a certificate of occupancy; RV/THOW living is limited to certain districts and permits. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,474 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 51 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,290 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 8 to Nov 27
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
North Florida Regional Medical Center - 3.1 mi
- Fire station
City of Gainesville Fire Station 7 - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 2.7 mi
- Grocery
Publix - 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 32606).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Alachua County, FL?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.