Off-grid site report
Brown County, TX
31.7290, -98.9832 · 1,335 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Brown 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 rulesBrown County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo Brown County zoning ordinance was found; Texas counties generally lack zoning power over unincorporated land as a state baseline. Zoning may apply inside the City of Brownwood, which is a separate municipal authority. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo countywide minimum house size or RV occupancy rule was found for unincorporated land. Inside Brownwood, a Certificate of Occupancy is required from City Hall before occupying a building. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyBrown County issues a Development Permit and a floodplain Development Permit but no general residential building code was found at the county level. The City of Brownwood has its own adopted codes and Building Services department for anything inside city limits. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedBrown County is the TCEQ-authorized local permitting agent for on-site sewage facilities (OSSF) under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366; a permit and approved plan are required before construction or operation. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed and are likely handled as part of alternative-system review. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Brown County page addresses greywater separately from septic (OSSF) permitting; it falls under the general state OSSF framework. Confirm specifics with the county permitting office. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Brown County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found, consistent with the state's general encouragement of the practice.
Private wells & water rights
Unclear - verifyIt's not confirmed whether Brown County lies within a Groundwater Conservation District. Texas has no statewide minimum acreage to drill a well, but local GCDs, where they exist, can set their own requirements; check the Texas Water Development Board's district locator. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Brown County or Brownwood ordinance requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities was found in official sources searched.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,588 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 30 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,504 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 29 to Nov 7
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood - 3.6 mi
- Fire station
Central Firestation - 0.8 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 0.2 mi
- Grocery
ALDI - 0.2 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 76803).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Brown 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.