Off-grid site report

Marshall County, IA

42.0560, -92.8970 · 873 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Marshall County, IA, 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 rulesMarshall County, IA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMarshall County has an adopted zoning ordinance; agricultural (A-1) districts restrict new non-farm dwellings and set lot-size thresholds. Check your parcel's district with the county Planning & Zoning office before assuming raw land can be occupied. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rule found on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings; manufactured/modular homes get some protection under Iowa state law (Iowa Code 335.30). Confirm RV/tiny-home rules directly with Marshall County Planning & Zoning. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedThe Marshall County Building Department requires permits and enforces the 2018 International Building Code with inspections during construction.

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted and regulated by the Marshall County Environmental Health/Sanitarian office under the state DNR Chapter 69 framework; inspections are required at title transfer. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Marshall County or Iowa DNR page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; ask the county Environmental Health office directly before installing a system.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Marshall County or Iowa DNR page found permitting, restricting, or licensing rainwater catchment; treat this as an open question for the county to answer.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedMarshall County's Environmental Health division runs a well program covering permitting and water testing, consistent with the statewide framework for private well oversight. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo standalone county ordinance bans off-grid or utility-disconnected living, but dwellings remain subject to county building, septic, and well permitting regardless of grid connection. source

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: 1,377 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 37 in/yr
Snowfall: 25 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,109 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 28 to Oct 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Central Iowa Healthcare: 0.7 mi
Fire station Marshalltown Fire Station: 1.6 mi
Hardware store Menards: 3.7 mi
Grocery Zamora Fresh Market: 0.9 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 50158).

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.