Off-grid site report
Gonzales County, TX
29.5069, -97.4496 · 312 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Gonzales 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 rulesGonzales County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyGonzales County has no general zoning ordinance for unincorporated land, this is standard for Texas counties. Only the City of Gonzales and other incorporated towns in the county have zoning, and it only applies inside city limits/ETJ. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo confirmed county minimum dwelling size or tiny home/RV restriction for unincorporated land. The City of Gonzales regulates manufactured homes in its floodplain/zoning code, but that applies only within city limits. source
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyTexas counties may adopt a residential building code but it's not automatic; Gonzales County's confirmed permitting activity is floodplain development permits, and whether a general residential building code applies countywide is not confirmed. Call the county Permit Office to verify. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedGonzales County is the local OSSF permitting authority under TCEQ/state law (Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366). A site evaluation is required before a septic permit issues, and maintenance contracts must be filed with the county building official. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; greywater appears to be handled through the same OSSF/state 30 TAC 285 process. Not confirmed as a separate county policy.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Gonzales County restriction on rainwater harvesting was found, so the state's general encouragement of rainwater collection appears to apply by default.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyGonzales County falls under the Gonzales County Underground Water Conservation District, which registers small exempt domestic wells (under 25,000 gallons/day) and permits larger or non-exempt wells, under authority from Texas Water Code Chapter 36. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Gonzales County ordinance was found requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities on unincorporated land; any such requirement, if it exists at all, would come from a city rather than the county.
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
- 1,489 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 35 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,631 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 28 to Dec 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Gonzales Healthcare Systems - 1.4 mi
- Fire station
Waelder Volunteer Fire Department - 15.8 mi
- Hardware store
G B C - 0.9 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 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 78629).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Gonzales 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.
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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.