Off-grid site report
Caldwell County, TX
29.8560, -97.6677 · 538 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Caldwell 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 rulesCaldwell County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo countywide zoning ordinance exists; the county instead regulates through its Development Ordinance covering subdivision, platting, and permitting in unincorporated areas. Land inside a city or its ETJ follows that city's separate, often stricter, rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo specific county standard for tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, or RV occupancy was found; the Development Ordinance covers general subdivision construction but not confirmed details. Best to ask the county Sanitation Department or Development Ordinance administrator directly. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThere's no city-style building code countywide, but the Caldwell County Sanitation Department issues a Development Permit covering new buildings, additions, mobile homes, and floodplain elevation requirements. Inside city limits/ETJ, separate municipal building permitting applies instead. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic (OSSF) systems are permitted and regulated by the Caldwell County Sanitation Department under authority delegated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) via Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366. Some systems require a recorded deed notice and a maintenance contract filed with the county. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Caldwell County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it appears to fall under the general state TCEQ/OSSF framework rather than a separate county rule. Confirm with the county Sanitation Department if you're planning a standalone greywater system. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting, and the county's regional water planning study lists it as a conservation strategy under consideration. The state, through the Texas Water Development Board, generally encourages rainwater harvesting as well. source
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyMost of the county falls under the Plum Creek Conservation District, which requires production permits (with a lighter registration path for agricultural/livestock wells); however, this district has no authority over the Edwards Aquifer portion of the county, where rule-of-capture may apply instead. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found requiring utility hookup for unincorporated properties, but inside city limits or ETJ, municipal codes tie utility taps directly to permit and plat approval. Confirm your exact parcel's jurisdiction before assuming you can stay disconnected. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,491 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 36 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,798 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 9 to Nov 23
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Seton Edgar B. Davis Hospital - 12.7 mi
- Fire station
Luling FIre Department - 12.2 mi
- Hardware store
Smith Supply - 0.2 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 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 78644).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Caldwell 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.