Off-grid site report
El Paso County, TX
31.7520, -106.3426 · 3,819 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for El Paso 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 rulesEl Paso County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyEl Paso County has no general zoning authority under Texas law; unincorporated land is unzoned but subject to county subdivision/floodplain rules, while City of El Paso zoning (34 districts) and ETJ subdivision rules apply within or near city limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyThe county issues no building permits; unincorporated-area construction is reviewed by ESD #1 or #2, and no specific tiny-home/RV occupancy standard for unincorporated land was found. Ask your ESD or the City of El Paso Planning and Inspections Department if you're in city limits/ETJ.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe State of Texas does not allow the county to issue building permits; permitting is handled by ESD #1/#2 in unincorporated areas (in-person plan review appointment required) or by the City of El Paso within city limits/ETJ. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic/OSSF systems are permitted through El Paso County's On-Site Sewage/Environmental Department acting as TCEQ's local agent, following the state's OSSF standards; a Certified Registration Form or License to Operate is required for compliance. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county or city greywater ordinance was found; it appears to be handled within the OSSF/septic permitting process by the El Paso City-County Health and Environmental District. Confirm directly with that office.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo El Paso County ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting; the state's generally permissive, TWDB-encouraged approach applies with no known local override.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyTexas has no statewide well-drilling permit requirement, but well reports must be filed with TDLR; El Paso County requires a certified lab letter proving water quality/quantity for occupancy compliance, and Groundwater Conservation District coverage here is not confirmed. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedThere's no explicit mandate to connect to public utilities in unincorporated county land, but occupancy compliance requires proof of water (utility letter or certified well test) and sewer (public hookup or permitted septic).
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,877 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 11 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,496 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Poliplaza Médica - 5.3 mi
- Fire station
El Paso Fire Department Airport ARFF Station 32 - 4.4 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 4.7 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Neighborhood Market - 1.6 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 79935).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in El Paso 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.