Off-grid site report
Henderson County, TX
32.2091, -95.8319 · 499 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Henderson 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 rulesHenderson County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHenderson County has no countywide zoning ordinance, so unincorporated land isn't subject to county zoning, but the county does enforce subdivision and floodplain rules. Cities like Athens, Henderson, and Log Cabin apply their own zoning within city limits.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe county does not explicitly regulate ADUs, tiny homes, or RVs in unincorporated areas, that's not confirmed either way. Incorporated towns require permits tied to a verified 911 address. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyNo confirmed countywide building code for unincorporated land, the county's floodplain office focuses on floodplain/subdivision review. Cities such as Henderson, TX run their own building permit and inspection programs. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedTexas requires an OSSF permit for septic systems statewide under TCEQ rules, and Henderson County has a designated septic services contact who administers this locally. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Henderson County page specifically addresses greywater reuse; it likely falls under the state OSSF framework, but this is not confirmed locally. Ask the county's septic services office to be sure.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or page specifically addressing rainwater harvesting was found, so this is not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyTexas follows a rule-of-capture baseline for groundwater absent a Groundwater Conservation District, and whether Henderson County falls inside one wasn't confirmed in this research. Check the Texas Water Development Board's GCD map directly.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Henderson County ordinance was found requiring utility hookups for unincorporated properties; some cities elsewhere in Texas do regulate this, but nothing county-specific was confirmed.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,500 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,380 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 19 to Nov 14
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
UT Health Athens - 2.8 mi
- Fire station
Athens Fire Rescue - 1.7 mi
- Hardware store
Groom & Sons' Hardware - 1.3 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 75751).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Henderson 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.