Off-grid site report
Trempealeau County, WI
44.1172, -91.5065 · 778 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Trempealeau County, WI, 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 rulesTrempealeau County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedTrempealeau County has countywide zoning administered by the Department of Land Management; towns like Trempealeau generally follow county code but may require a separate town application too. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county enforces the state Uniform Dwelling Code, requiring a real foundation for permanent dwellings, and bans pre-1976 mobile homes outright; long-term RV living as a residence is not confirmed on any official county source. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county issues both Land Use/Zoning permits and Building permits, administering the state Uniform Dwelling Code locally; the county cites a 30-day outer review window with faster turnaround typical. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe county's own Sanitary and Private Sewage System Ordinance implements the state POWTS code and requires a county sanitary permit even for composting toilets, privies, and incinerating toilets. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Trempealeau County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state DSPS plumbing code baseline likely applies, but this is not confirmed at the county level, so ask Land Management directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rainwater catchment was found; outdoor non-potable collection likely falls under the unregulated state baseline while indoor/potable use would fall under state plumbing code, but this is not confirmed locally.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedTrempealeau County Department of Land Management regulates well siting directly and issues a Well Location Permit, with a documented 50-foot setback from septic systems or high water lines. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance directly addresses full disconnection from electric or municipal utilities; it appears permissible if dwelling, septic, and well rules are independently met, but this is inferred, not stated, so confirm with Land Management.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,368 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 34 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 43 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,320 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 5 to Sep 30
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Community Memorial Hospital - 8.2 mi
- Fire station
Dodge Fire Department - 2.4 mi
- Hardware store
Menards - 7.9 mi
- Grocery
Midtown Foods - 7.9 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 54625).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Trempealeau County, WI?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 22, 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.