Off-grid site report
Jefferson County, KS
39.1471, -95.3384 · 1,142 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jefferson County, KS, 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 rulesJefferson County, KS
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedJefferson County has countywide zoning administered by the Planning & Zoning Division, which governs land use, rezonings, variances, and conditional uses. Rezonings require notice to neighbors within 1,000 feet under state statute.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo specific county ordinance on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; Planning & Zoning inspects for setbacks and occupancy case by case outside city limits. Not confirmed, so ask the county directly.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyJefferson County has no countywide building code (cities set their own), but the county's Building and Construction Division still issues building permits and inspects outside city limits. Fences are generally exempt from permitting.
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe county's Sanitary Code, adopted under state statute and reviewed by KDHE, requires a permit, site visit, and a county-licensed installer for onsite wastewater systems. Composting toilets are not separately addressed, so that piece is unconfirmed.
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo specific Jefferson County provision on greywater reuse was found; it likely falls under general onsite wastewater standards, but this is not confirmed. Ask the county Environmental Services office.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Jefferson County restriction was found; rainwater harvesting appears to inherit the state's domestic-use exemption under the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedThe county Health Department requires a zoning building permit before it will accept a well permit application, plus a site drawing and fee. Construction standards otherwise defer to KDHE under state law.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit county rule mandates utility hookups, but septic and well permits are gated behind a building permit, which practically constrains fully disconnected living. Not confirmed as a standalone rule, so confirm with the county.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,450 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 39 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 15 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,516 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 17 to Oct 17
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Lawrence Memorial Hospital - 12.6 mi
- Fire station
Fairview Township Fire Department District 6 - 4.8 mi
- Hardware store
Westlake Ace Hardware - 12.6 mi
- Grocery
Thriftway - 5.0 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 66073).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
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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.