Off-grid site report
McLennan County, TX
31.5222, -97.1673 · 551 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McLennan 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 rulesMcLennan County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyNo countywide zoning applies to unincorporated McLennan County, but land inside an incorporated city or its ETJ is subject to that city's zoning. The county does require subdivision plat approval and floodplain compliance for land development. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Generally allowedMcLennan County sets no minimum dwelling size or type restriction and its building order does not authorize zoning enforcement or approval authority over new residential construction; manufactured-home rental communities have separate county infrastructure rules. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedMcLennan County adopted limited, permissive authority under state law requiring new residential construction in unincorporated areas to follow the IRC used in the county seat, but the county does not inspect or charge fees, only requires notification of build location. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic (OSSF) systems are permitted and regulated by the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 366 and TCEQ Chapter 285, adopted by reference locally. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; it appears to be addressed only within the OSSF/TCEQ Chapter 285 septic framework. Confirm specifics with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRainwater harvesting is permitted and actively promoted through public education by the Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District; no county ordinance restricts it. source
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyWells fall under the Southern Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. Small domestic/livestock wells under 25,000 gallons/day on 10+ acres are typically exempt from permitting but may need registration; other wells require a district permit. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo McLennan County rule was found requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities in unincorporated areas; any such mandate would come from an incorporated city's ordinance. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,516 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 36 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,138 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 13 to Nov 23
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Ascension Providence - 2.0 mi
- Fire station
Waco Fire Station 9 - 0.3 mi
- Hardware store
McCoy's Building Supply - 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 76711).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in McLennan 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.