Off-grid site report
Maries County, MO
38.2787, -92.0002 · 676 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Maries County, MO, 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 rulesMaries County, MO
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo countywide zoning ordinance exists for unincorporated Maries County, so land use isn't regulated at the county level. Inside Vienna, Belle, or Argyle, the town's own zoning commission governs; contact city hall directly. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Generally allowedWith no countywide zoning or building code, dwelling type, tiny homes, and RV residency aren't restricted by the county in unincorporated areas. Towns may set their own rules within city limits.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyMaries County requires no general building permit, but a floodplain development permit is required countywide for construction in mapped floodplains, administered with help from the Meramec Regional Planning Commission. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedAs of October 2024, septic (OWTS) permitting authority moved from the Phelps-Maries County Health Department to the Missouri DHSS Onsite Program at the state level, per county ordinance. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Maries County or Missouri state-specific rule on greywater reuse was found; this matches Missouri's general lack of a specific statute on the topic. Not confirmed either way.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting, and the state baseline right to harvest rainwater appears to apply since the county has no zoning or building code that would limit it.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedPrivate wells are governed by the state, not the county. Missouri's Water Well Drillers Act and Well Construction Rules require a permit through the Missouri DNR, and Maries County sits within a designated DNR drilling area. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedWith no countywide requirement to connect to public utilities, living disconnected from water and sewer service appears permitted in unincorporated Maries County, though towns may impose stricter local rules.
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
- 1,374 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,349 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 13 to Oct 21
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
St. Mary's Hospital - 22.7 mi
- Fire station
Westphalia Fire Protection District - 11.3 mi
- Hardware store
Stihl - 1.7 mi
- Grocery
G & W Foods - 7.7 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 65001).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Maries County, MO?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.