Off-grid site report
Lyon County, IA
43.4300, -96.1675 · 1,355 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Lyon 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 rulesLyon County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedLyon County has its own countywide zoning ordinance, administered by the county Zoning Department, and requires a Zoning Compliance Permit for new construction or use changes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyManufactured homes are explicitly regulated (foundation standards tied to Iowa Code Sec. 414.28), but tiny homes and RV residency as a standalone dwelling are not addressed on the county's site, so that's not confirmed. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedA Zoning Compliance Permit with a site plan is required before construction, issued by the county Zoning Department, but which edition of the state building code the county has adopted (if any local amendments exist) isn't confirmed on county pages. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedLyon County Health Services issues septic permits under Iowa Code Chapter 69, the state's private sewage rule; composting or alternative systems aren't separately addressed and likely fall under the same framework. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Lyon County or Iowa DNR page specifically addresses greywater reuse apart from standard septic rules; ask the county Sanitarian directly before installing a system.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Lyon County or Iowa DNR source found addressing residential rainwater catchment permitting or restrictions; confirm with county zoning or environmental health before installing a large system.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate well construction permits are issued by Lyon County Health Services under Iowa DNR delegation, and all well work requires a DNR-certified well contractor on site. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo ordinance bars living disconnected from public utilities, but a Zoning Compliance Permit (which discloses utility availability) plus compliant septic and well permits are still required for any occupied dwelling. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,426 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 29 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 28 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,746 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 1 to Oct 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Sanford Luverne Medical Center - 16.9 mi
- Fire station
Ellsworth Fire Department - 9.6 mi
- Hardware store
Larchwood Tru Value - 13.5 mi
- Grocery
Sunshine Foods - 0.2 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 51246).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Lyon 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.