Off-grid site report
Henry County, IA
40.9782, -91.5398 · 722 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Henry 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 rulesHenry County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHenry County Planning and Zoning administers countywide land-use zoning that varies by district, and the county actively maintains ordinances like floodplain and alternative energy rules. This is not an unzoned county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyThe county's zoning ordinance reportedly restricts RVs as permanent residences, but the full current ordinance isn't clearly published online and tiny homes aren't specifically addressed. Confirm directly with Planning & Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedHenry County requires a building permit and enforces the International Building Code with local amendments; the Health Department must approve your plot plan before the permit is issued. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedHenry County's Environmental Health office issues sewage disposal system permits and holding tank permits under a state DNR framework; composting toilet specifics aren't confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or form specifically addresses greywater reuse; ask Henry County Environmental Health directly whether a permit is needed.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Henry County ordinance or guidance on rainwater catchment was found; check with Planning & Zoning or Environmental Health before installing a system.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedAll private wells in Henry County require a permit and inspection through the county's environmental division, with state DNR funding available for well closures and rehabs. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo ordinance bans disconnecting from utilities, but any occupied dwelling still must clear county building, septic, and well permitting regardless of grid connection. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,384 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 38 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 26 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,845 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 20 to Oct 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Henry County Health Center - 1.5 mi
- Fire station
Mount Pleasant Fire Department - 1.2 mi
- Hardware store
Menards - 22.6 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 52641).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Henry 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.