Off-grid site report
Meade County, KS
37.2856, -100.3401 · 2,526 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Meade County, KS, 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 rulesMeade County, KS
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMeade County has adopted zoning, building, and subdivision ordinances, administered jointly with the cities of Meade, Fowler, and Plains through an area planning commission. This is county and joint city authority, not a no-zoning county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyCounty ordinance addresses accessory apartments and second dwellings on a parcel with conditions, but tiny homes and long-term RV occupancy as a sole residence are not addressed in available county text, so that's not confirmed. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedMeade County requires a building permit for most structures, with exceptions for small accessory buildings and small decks. The county Equalization & Planning Department issues permits and enforces the ordinances. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedMeade County has its own Environmental Code, recognized by KDHE, requiring a permit for any new septic or wastewater system including tank replacement or drain field work. Composting toilets specifically are not addressed and remain unconfirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Meade County-specific greywater rule was found. It likely falls under the county's Environmental Code but that is not confirmed, so ask the Equalization & Planning office directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Meade County ordinance restricts rainwater collection, and Kansas state law generally exempts domestic-use rainwater harvesting from water rights permitting.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyKansas state law sets well construction and contractor licensing standards through KDHE's Water Well Program, but whether Meade County adds its own local well permit requirement is not confirmed in KDHE's county list. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit Meade County rule was found requiring utility hookup as a condition of occupancy, but building and septic permits are still required regardless of grid connection. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,671 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 22 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 18 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,715 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Meade District Hospital - 0.4 mi
- Fire station
Meade Rural Fire Department - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Montezuma Hardware - 22.3 mi
- Grocery
Harvest Market - 22.3 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 67864).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Meade County, KS?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.