Off-grid site report
Monroe County, AL
31.4632, -87.3496 · 423 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Monroe County, AL, 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 rulesMonroe County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyAlabama counties have no zoning power unless separately adopted; no county zoning ordinance was found for unincorporated Monroe County, but the City of Monroeville has its own zoning ordinance under state law. Confirm unincorporated status with the Monroe County Commission directly. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on tiny homes or RVs was found; within Monroeville, city zoning and the building official would review occupancy. Not confirmed for unincorporated county. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyMonroeville has an active building permit process tied to its Planning Commission; no confirmed building permit requirement exists for unincorporated Monroe County. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Monroe County Health Department (Alabama Department of Public Health) inspects and approves onsite sewage systems countywide, including percolation testing where sewer hookup isn't practical. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater rule was found; this falls under ADPH's statewide onsite sewage rule, enforced locally by the Monroe County Health Department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo state or Monroe County restriction on rainwater collection was found in this research.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells must comply with Monroe County Health Department requirements, and Monroeville has its own well code chapter; statewide, ADEM sets well construction standards under the Water Well Standards Act. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Monroe County or Monroeville rule requiring utility hookups was found; Alabama has no statewide mandate either, so this would only come from a local ordinance not confirmed to exist.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,405 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 59 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,135 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 19 to Nov 13
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Monroe County Hospital - 2.9 mi
- Fire station
Excel Volunteer Fire Department - 2.5 mi
- Hardware store
Mc Phaul's Mercantile - 2.5 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 1.7 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 36439).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Monroe County, AL?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.