Off-grid site report

Rankin County, MS

32.2482, -90.0934 · 367 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Rankin County, MS, 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 rulesRankin County, MS

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedRankin County has adopted countywide zoning, administered by the Office of Community Development with a Planning/Zoning Commission; this differs from many Mississippi counties with no zoning at all. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyCounty zoning distinguishes Mobile Homes, Modular Homes, and RV/trailer categories, with a separate Manufactured Home Permit process, but whether a tiny house on wheels can be a full-time residence is not confirmed; ask Community Development directly. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedRankin County requires a building permit before construction or structural alteration, issued through Community Development, plus a separate utility permit and inspection before any change of occupancy. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems, including alternative/composting approaches, are permitted through the Mississippi State Department of Health's On-Site Wastewater Program under state law; no Rankin-specific deviation found. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Rankin County-specific greywater ordinance was found; greywater appears to fall under the state's general onsite wastewater permitting via MSDH. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Rankin County ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting; the county's stormwater program addresses runoff and water quality, not rain barrels or cisterns.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are regulated at the state level by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for construction standards, with MSDH involved in water sampling; no Rankin-specific well ordinance found. source

Living disconnected from utilities

RestrictedRankin County adopted an ordinance requiring a utility permit and inspection before any change of occupancy in a dwelling or structure countywide; full applicability to complete off-grid disconnection is not confirmed. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,436 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 54 in/yr
Snowfall: 1 in/yr
Heating degree days: 2,392 (mild)
Frost-free season: Mar 20 to Nov 12

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Merit Health Rankin: 4.3 mi
Fire station Mississippi State Fire Academy: 0.1 mi
Hardware store Revell Supply Group: 3.0 mi
Grocery Save-A-Lot: 2.7 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 39208).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.