Off-grid site report
Travis County, TX
30.3472, -97.7146 · 778 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Travis 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 rulesTravis County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyTravis County has no general countywide zoning power over unincorporated land (a statewide limitation on Texas counties); instead the county regulates via subdivision platting and development permits under its Chapter 482 Development Regulations, adopted by Commissioners Court. If you're in a city or its ETJ, that city's zoning applies instead.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyA single-family or manufactured home on its own lot goes through standard county residential permitting, but RV parks, tiny home parks, and condo-style developments are treated as special subdivisions needing Commissioners Court approval. No confirmed countywide manufactured-home density rule was found on an official county page. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedTravis County's Commissioners Court requires new residential construction in unincorporated areas to meet the International Residential Code, with permits and inspections processed through county Development Services. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedTravis County Development Services is TCEQ's authorized agent for OSSF (septic) permitting in most unincorporated areas; LCRA has added permitting authority within roughly 1,000 to 2,200 feet of the Highland Lakes/Lake Travis, though a county permit is still required too. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Travis County greywater ordinance or guidance page was found; greywater likely falls under the state OSSF rules the county administers as TCEQ's authorized agent, rather than a separate county program. Confirm specifics with Travis County Development Services. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Travis County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found, and the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District discusses it as a water-independence tool consistent with state policy.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyMuch of Travis County falls under the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, which requires well registration, while the Edwards Aquifer Authority governs Edwards Aquifer wells in shared territory; outside any groundwater district, the state's rule of capture applies. Confirm your parcel's coverage with BSEACD. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Travis County ordinance was found requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities in unincorporated areas; the county's focus is on permitting the method used (OSSF, well) rather than mandating grid connection. Cities like Austin may impose their own requirements within city limits or ETJ.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,500 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 34 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,540 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 19 to Dec 6
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital - 2.2 mi
- Fire station
Austin Fire Station Number 16 - 0.7 mi
- Hardware store
Floor Decor - 4.0 mi
- Grocery
Fresh Plus - 0.7 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 78710).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Travis 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.