Off-grid site report

Redwood County, MN

44.5891, -95.1152 · 853 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyRedwood County's Environmental Office administers the county Zoning Ordinance, with a Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment; rules on setbacks, districts, and floodplain overlays vary by parcel. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo official county page confirms how tiny homes or RVs are classified for permanent occupancy; this appears to be decided case-by-case by the county's Land Use and Zoning Supervisor.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyThe Minnesota State Building Code (state Dept. of Labor and Industry) is only enforced where locally adopted; the City of Redwood Falls enforces it within city limits, but countywide adoption for unincorporated Redwood County land is not confirmed. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe county's Environmental Office reviews and approves all septic (SSTS) system designs under a program required statewide by Minnesota rule; no system may be installed without county approval. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Redwood County-specific greywater rule was found; it would fall under the county's septic ordinance, so direct inquiry to the Environmental Office is needed.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; indoor plumbed systems fall under state plumbing rules, but outdoor barrel collection isn't addressed locally in materials found.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWell construction permits are issued under Minnesota Statutes chapter 103I by the Minnesota Department of Health via licensed well contractors; no county-specific delegated program was confirmed. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Redwood County ordinance was found requiring or barring grid disconnection; this would tie to zoning/occupancy conditions not documented in materials found, so ask the Environmental Office.

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): 3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,380 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 29 in/yr
Snowfall: 36 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,919 (severe)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Mayo Clinic Health System Springfield: 24.7 mi
Fire station Redwood Falls Fire Station: 3.8 mi
Hardware store Redwood Building Center: 3.3 mi
Grocery Tersteeg's: 3.3 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 56283).

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.