Off-grid site report
Butler County, IA
42.8962, -92.8030 · 978 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Butler County, IA, 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 rulesButler County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnincorporated Butler County has its own zoning ordinance administered by the Planning & Zoning Commission and Board of Supervisors under Iowa Code Chapter 335; incorporated towns set separate rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyCounty FAQ confirms you can build on a minimum 1.5-acre parcel if the house predates a 1978 farmstead-severance cutoff; tiny homes and RVs as permanent dwellings are not specifically addressed and default to state baseline rules. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county requires a zoning/building permit before erecting, constructing, moving in, or altering any building in unincorporated areas; manufactured homes also need state building code bureau inspection before occupancy. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedPrivate sewage systems are required when not within 200 feet of public sewer, per state Chapter 69 rules, with permits issued locally by the County Environmental Health Specialist after a site evaluation. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Butler County or Iowa DNR page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; ask the County Environmental Health office directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Butler County or Iowa DNR source addressing rainwater harvesting permission or restriction was found.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe County Environmental Health Specialist issues well permits, performs water testing, and oversees well reconstruction and plugging under the state's Grants to Counties program. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo ordinance bans disconnecting from utilities, but the dwelling must still meet zoning, building permit, septic, and well requirements regardless. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,370 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 34 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 34 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,362 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 26 to Oct 4
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Floyd County Medical Center - 12.3 mi
- Fire station
Greene Fire Department - 0.5 mi
- Hardware store
Theisen's - 13.5 mi
- Grocery
West Forty Market - 0.1 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 50636).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Butler County, IA?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.