Off-grid site report
McCulloch County, TX
31.1352, -99.3355 · 1,683 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McCulloch County, TX, 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 rulesMcCulloch County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedNo general zoning ordinance was found for unincorporated McCulloch County; Texas counties generally lack broad zoning power outside city limits/ETJ. The City of Brady's ETJ could differ, so confirm if you're near town. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV occupancy was found. Ask McCulloch County directly since Texas counties have narrow but real authority here.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyMcCulloch County has a permits process, but which building code (if any) applies to unincorporated areas isn't confirmed from official sources. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedMcCulloch County administers OSSF (septic) permits under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285; a permit and approved plan are required before construction or operation. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater rule was found; statewide, greywater is generally handled within the OSSF permitting framework, so ask the county's OSSF office.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county restriction was found, and Texas encourages rainwater harvesting for domestic use at the state level.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedPart of McCulloch County lies within the Hickory Underground Water Conservation District No. 1, which regulates wells drawing from the Marble Falls and Ellenburger-San Saba aquifers beyond the state's default rule of capture. Exact boundary coverage within the county isn't confirmed, so check with the district. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo McCulloch County ordinance requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities was found; any such rule would more likely come from the City of Brady, not the unincorporated county.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,634 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 28 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,386 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 26 to Nov 11
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Heart Of Texas Memorial Hospital - 1.4 mi
- Fire station
Brady Fire Department - 0.1 mi
- Hardware store
- none within range
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 1.8 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 76825).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in McCulloch County, TX?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 21, 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.