Off-grid site report

Jefferson County, MO

38.0908, -90.5830 · 758 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jefferson County, MO, 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 rulesJefferson County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedJefferson County has adopted a countywide Unified Development Order (zoning code) enforced in unincorporated areas; municipalities may have their own separate zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo specific tiny-home or RV-as-residence rule was found in the official code excerpts; this depends on how your zoning district defines a dwelling unit, so confirm with Planning & Zoning. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedJefferson County has adopted its own Building Code (Chapter 500) and requires a permit before most construction, alteration, or demolition in unincorporated areas, enforced by the Code Enforcement Division. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Jefferson County Department of Health permits onsite sewage systems; composting-toilet-style privies are prohibited except where specifically approved as an alternative system. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo standalone greywater-reuse ordinance was found; the county code addresses what can't enter a septic tank rather than authorizing reuse systems, so ask the county Health Department directly. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Jefferson County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, so the permissive state baseline appears to apply.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedWell construction is governed entirely at the state level by Missouri DNR under the Water Well Drillers Act and Well Construction Rules; there is no separate county well permitting layer, though self-drilled wells have some exemptions. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo county ordinance bans living disconnected from utilities, but any dwelling still must comply with the county's building permit and onsite sewage requirements. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,342 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 43 in/yr
Snowfall: 10 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,902 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 16 to Oct 20

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Mercy Hospital Jefferson: 12.6 mi
Fire station DeSoto Rural Fire Department: 3.4 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 12.6 mi
Grocery Save-A-Lot: 3.6 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 63020).

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.