Off-grid site report
Jackson County, WI
44.3218, -91.1236 · 879 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jackson 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 rulesJackson County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedJackson County has countywide zoning; the Zoning, Planning & POWTS Department administers zoning, shoreland, floodplain, and subdivision rules in unincorporated areas, and a Land Use Permit is generally required before building. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyUDC building permit administration is delegated to the local town or village, not the county; rules on tiny homes on wheels or RV living as a dwelling are not confirmed and vary by municipality. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe state UDC (SPS 320) sets the framework, but the municipality where the land sits issues the actual UDC Building Permit; a county Land Use Permit typically comes first. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Jackson County Zoning Department issues state and county Sanitary Permits for septic systems and non-plumbing sanitation systems like composting toilets, requiring a soil test and licensed designer first. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Jackson County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it appears to follow the state POWTS code (SPS 383) baseline. Not confirmed beyond that.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance addressing outdoor, non-potable rainwater collection was found; this appears to follow the state's default of no restriction, but it's not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells follow the state Well Code, and Jackson County Public Health provides bacteria, E. coli, and nitrate testing support, recommending annual well water testing. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Jackson County ordinance was found that directly addresses fully disconnecting a dwelling from electric or municipal utilities; permitting focuses on structural and sanitary compliance instead. Not confirmed.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,325 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 35 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 40 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 8,220 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 12 to Sep 27
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Gundersen Tri-County Hospital - 10.1 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Moe Hardware Hank - 13.7 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 14.5 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 54659).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Jackson 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.