Off-grid site report

Fillmore County, MN

43.7486, -92.2682 · 1,030 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Fillmore County, MN, 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 rulesFillmore County, MN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyFillmore County has an adopted countywide Zoning Ordinance administered by the Land Use Department; what's allowed depends on the parcel's zoning district. The Subdivision Ordinance sets a 2.5-acre minimum lot size and requires the primary dwelling be built first. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyClaims of a specific county tiny-home size/ceiling standard could not be confirmed officially. State Residential Code (with Appendix Q tiny house provisions) and manufactured home siting rules apply; ask Fillmore County Zoning about RVs and any local minimums. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyThe Land Use Department administers permitting tied to septic-related state rule chapters, but whether the full Minnesota State Building Code is formally adopted countywide was not confirmed from county text found. Ask the Zoning/Building office. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedFillmore County runs its own SSTS ordinance under Land Use/Zoning, following Minnesota Rules Chapter 7082, with licensed inspectors, one-year permits, and a newer rule requiring septic inspection (and correction if noncompliant) upon property transfer. Composting toilets are allowed under state SSTS rule chapters referenced in county forms. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater rule was found; it likely falls under the SSTS ordinance framework generally. Ask the county Zoning/Septic office directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Fillmore County-specific rainwater ordinance found. State baseline applies: rain barrels are generally unregulated while plumbed indoor systems fall under state plumbing code review by MN DLI.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells are regulated at the state level under Minnesota's Well Code, administered by MDH's Rochester district office covering Fillmore County; owners can drill their own well for personal farm/household use, otherwise a licensed contractor is required. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo county rule found requiring or barring grid disconnection or mandating utility hookups for occupancy. Ask Fillmore County Zoning whether occupancy permits have utility conditions.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,370 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 36 in/yr
Snowfall: 42 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,823 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 10 to Sep 28

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Olmsted Medical Center Hospital: 20.6 mi
Fire station Wykoff Fire Station: 2.7 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 7.3 mi
Grocery Sunshine Foods: 7.3 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 55990).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.