Off-grid site report
Kaufman County, TX
32.7389, -96.3042 · 499 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Kaufman 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 rulesKaufman County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyKaufman County has no general zoning power, but state legislation gave the Commissioners Court special land-use authority in unincorporated areas near Cedar Creek Lake, the Trinity River, and the East Fork of the Trinity. Cities like Kaufman zone within their limits and ETJ. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Kaufman County source confirms rules on tiny homes or RVs as residences; the county's Subdivision Regulations cover platting, not dwelling type. Not confirmed, so ask Development Services directly. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe county's Fire Marshal's Office requires permits under the adopted International Fire Code for public, commercial, and multi-family (4+ unit) buildings. A general single-family residential building code requirement countywide was not confirmed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedKaufman County is TCEQ's Authorized Agent for septic permitting, requires one acre of usable space per system, licensed installers, and annual maintenance contracts for aerobic systems. Oak Ridge and Terrell residents go through their city instead. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Kaufman County or TCEQ greywater page was found; greywater appears to fall under the state's general OSSF framework rather than a distinct county rule. Confirm with TCEQ or county OSSF staff.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Kaufman County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found; this inherits Texas's generally permissive state baseline.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyKaufman County does not appear to be covered by a groundwater conservation district, so the state's rule of capture applies without local pumping/spacing limits, though this was not fully confirmed by an official government source. Well construction is governed by state driller licensing rules regardless. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Kaufman County source addresses whether occupants must connect to electric, water, or sewer utilities in unincorporated areas; any such rule is more likely municipal than county-level.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,521 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 41 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,356 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 10 to Nov 22
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Kaufman - 10.2 mi
- Fire station
Terrell Fire Department - 1.7 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Frieght Tools - 0.3 mi
- Grocery
H-E-B - 6.2 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 75160).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Kaufman 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.