Off-grid site report
Shelby County, AL
33.2357, -86.8038 · 584 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Shelby 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 rulesShelby County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyShelby County Planning Commission (authorized by a 1982 state act) administers zoning for unincorporated areas and the towns of Montevallo, Vincent, and Wilsonville, but some county land is explicitly unzoned, and incorporated cities like Alabaster and Pelham run their own separate zoning departments.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyA single manufactured/mobile home is allowed per legal lot in unzoned areas, the A-1 Agricultural District, or the Holding Zone District (with Planning Commission approval); no distinct tiny-home ordinance was confirmed, so it likely falls under manufactured-home or accessory-structure rules.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedShelby County Development Services requires a building permit for nearly all new construction, moved/manufactured homes, RV connections, and accessory structures, and enforces adopted ICC codes; a licensed surveyor's setback verification is required in zoned areas. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted, inspected, and regulated by the Alabama Department of Public Health's Shelby County Health Department, not the county building department; a septic authorization form is required before a building permit is issued. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Shelby County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it's governed by ADPH's statewide onsite sewage rule, administered locally by the Shelby County Health Department Environmental Office. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Shelby County ordinance restricting residential rainwater harvesting was found, so it appears to follow the state's default of no restriction on non-potable use.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedShelby County's public water utility (Shelby County Water Services) does not regulate private wells; well construction is governed by the state's well standards framework, with no confirmed county-added permitting.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo countywide ordinance requiring hookup to public water, sewer, or electric was found, and septic is treated as an accepted sewer alternative in permit paperwork, but full off-grid (no water/electric) living is not explicitly confirmed as a right, so check with Development Services directly.
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
- 1,397 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 55 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,666 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Shelby Baptist Medical Center - 1.3 mi
- Fire station
Alabaster Fire Department #3 - 0.5 mi
- Hardware store
Helena Hardware - 4.3 mi
- Grocery
Publix - 2.8 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 35144).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Shelby 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.