Off-grid site report
Linn County, IA
42.0256, -91.6184 · 863 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Linn County, IA, 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 rulesLinn County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyLinn County Planning & Zoning Division administers countywide zoning, but only in unincorporated areas; incorporated cities set their own. Every parcel has a zoning district that governs use. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyManufactured homes (post-1976, HUD-compliant) are treated as standard single-family dwellings by the county; tiny houses on wheels and RVs as permanent residences are not confirmed as allowed or banned, so ask Planning & Development. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyBuilding permits are required in unincorporated county areas and contract cities, enforced by the Linn County Building Division, but Iowa Code 331.304.3.b exempts farmhouses and agricultural buildings; non-contract cities enforce their own codes. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedLinn County Public Health's On-site Wastewater Program issues septic permits requiring an application, site drawing, and percolation test; composting toilets aren't separately addressed and likely fall under the same private sewage rules, unconfirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Linn County ordinance specifically addresses greywater reuse apart from standard septic regulation; confirm directly with Linn County Public Health Environmental Services.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Linn County or Iowa DNR page was found addressing residential rainwater harvesting, so this is unconfirmed either way.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate well construction permits are issued locally through Linn County Public Health via the state's IWIS system, though part of the county lies in a state-designated protected water source area with added review by Iowa DNR. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo standalone ordinance bans or authorizes full utility disconnection; the practical requirement is compliance with zoning, building code, septic, and well permitting described above.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,370 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 38 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 32 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,304 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 25 to Oct 11
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Saint Luke's Hospital - 3.5 mi
- Fire station
Marion Fire Department Station 1 - 1.0 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 0.4 mi
- Grocery
ALDI - 0.5 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 52302).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Linn County, IA?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.