Off-grid site report
Brewster County, TX
30.3751, -103.5337 · 4,429 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Brewster 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 rulesBrewster County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedBrewster County has no countywide zoning ordinance, consistent with the general Texas rule that counties lack zoning power. The county does administer subdivision regulations for platting new lots through its Commissioners Court. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Brewster County page specifies minimum dwelling size or RV/tiny-home occupancy rules for unincorporated land; not confirmed, so check with the county directly. Cities like Alpine may have their own separate building/occupancy codes. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyBrewster County confirms floodplain development permitting through its Floodplain Administrator, but no evidence of a general adopted building code for all unincorporated construction was found. Confirm with the county courthouse what applies to your specific build. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic (OSSF) systems are regulated under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285, with Brewster County acting as TCEQ's local Authorized Agent for permitting. A statewide exemption applies to single-family homes on 10+ acres if effluent doesn't cross the property line, though design standards still apply. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Brewster County or TCEQ greywater ordinance was found; greywater use appears to fall within the general OSSF/septic framework rather than a distinct rule. Not confirmed, ask the county environmental health office or TCEQ.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Brewster County-specific restriction was found; rainwater harvesting for domestic use follows the state's generally permissive baseline.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedBrewster County is fully covered by its own Groundwater Conservation District (BCGCD), created in 2001. Non-exempt wells (over roughly 25,000 gallons/day) need registration and permits, and all new or deepened wells need a drilling permit from the district. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Brewster County ordinance was found requiring utility hookup for occupancy in unincorporated areas, so the permissive state baseline likely applies. Incorporated towns like Alpine could impose their own separate requirements.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,805 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 17 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,688 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 4 to Nov 2
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Big Bend Regional Medical Center - 8.2 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Morrison True Value Hardware - 7.8 mi
- Grocery
Porter's - 7.5 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 79832).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Brewster 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.