Off-grid site report
Clinton County, IA
41.8168, -90.2428 · 591 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clinton 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 rulesClinton County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedClinton County's Zoning Ordinance applies to all unincorporated land and generally allows one house per lot, with a limited exception for a second farm dwelling. Non-farm density in the A-1 district is capped near one unit per 40 acres. Cities like Clinton have their own separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyTiny homes on wheels are titled as RVs by the County Treasurer if under size limits and with permanently affixed wheels/frame, but must be retitled as a mobile home once used as a residence beyond 90 consecutive days. Whether such structures qualify as permanent dwellings under zoning itself is not confirmed; ask the Zoning Administrator. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedA county zoning/building permit is required before construction begins on non-farm structures in unincorporated Clinton County, and lots must already meet zoning and subdivision rules. Farm structures are largely exempt; incorporated cities administer their own State Building Code. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedClinton County Environmental Services (Sanitarian's Office) permits septic systems under a county wastewater ordinance and Iowa DNR's statewide rules, requiring a passing percolation test before zoning sign-off and inspections during installation. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department page specifically addresses greywater reuse; confirm directly with the Sanitarian's Office how it's treated under state DNR rules.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Clinton County or Iowa DNR source was found addressing rainwater catchment specifically, so this is unconfirmed either way.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedClinton County has its own Private Water Wells ordinance, with permitting delegated locally by Iowa DNR; new household wells require a water sample collected by the county within a set post-construction window. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo outright ban on disconnecting from utilities was found, but occupied dwellings still must go through zoning, septic, and well permitting regardless of grid connection status. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,344 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 35 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 30 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,203 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 23 to Oct 11
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center - 4.1 mi
- Fire station
Clinton Fire Department Station 4 - Chancy - 1.4 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 0.7 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 52730).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Clinton 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.