Off-grid site report

Camden County, MO

38.1497, -92.6180 · 843 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Camden County, MO, 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 rulesCamden County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedCamden County has countywide zoning under its Unified Land-Use Code (ULUC), adopted 2004 after voters approved planning/zoning in 1997. Minimum lot sizes and setbacks vary by district (e.g., A-1, A-R); incorporated cities like Camdenton have their own separate zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe ULUC has separate appendices for RVs and manufactured homes, so occupancy rules depend on district; no countywide minimum dwelling size was found. Confirm with Planning & Zoning for your specific parcel. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedCamden County requires construction permits with a published fee schedule through Planning & Zoning; incorporated cities may apply additional codes like the International Building Code. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedCamden County Wastewater Department administers on-site sewage permits under Missouri state law, but owners of single-family lots of 3+ acres (with some lake-adjacency exceptions) may be exempt from permitting if system setbacks and no-nuisance conditions are met. Composting toilets are not addressed; ask the Wastewater Department directly. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Camden County ordinance on greywater reuse was found; this inherits Missouri's general unclear status. Ask the state DHSS onsite wastewater program for guidance.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Camden County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, so the general state allowance applies.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedPrivate wells fall under Missouri DNR's statewide well construction rules, not a separate county program. The county also has Public Water Supply Districts that DNR permits, which some residents may need to consider. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo Camden County ordinance mandating connection to public water or sewer for unincorporated land was found, but zoning, building permit, and septic rules still apply.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,338 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 43 in/yr
Snowfall: 8 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,613 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 10 to Oct 29

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Lake Regional Health System: 4.0 mi
Fire station Osage Beach Fire Protection District #1: 0.8 mi
Hardware store The Home Depot: 0.4 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 65047).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.