Off-grid site report

Barry County, MO

36.6763, -93.8878 · 1,437 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Barry County, MO, 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 rulesBarry County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedBarry County has adopted a countywide zoning ordinance implementing its Master Plan, covering districts, density, and accessory uses in unincorporated areas; the Planning and Zoning Department issues permits and charges fees for zoning, land division, variances, and site plans. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyThe county zoning ordinance regulates manufactured homes, floodplain areas, and accessory dwellings, but the specific rules on minimum size or RV occupancy in unincorporated Barry County were not confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyBarry County has not adopted a countywide building code, so unincorporated construction goes through the zoning permit system rather than code inspections, while the City of Cassville has adopted its own separate municipal building code. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Barry County Health Department permits new, replacement, and repaired septic systems locally, operating under Missouri's statewide DHSS onsite wastewater program. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Barry County ordinance or health department page specifically addresses greywater reuse; confirm directly with the Health Department before installing a system.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Barry County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, so the statewide Missouri allowance for rainwater harvesting applies by default.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedWell construction is governed at the state level under Missouri's Water Well Drillers Act, administered by DNR; Barry County's Health Department offers water testing but does not permit well construction itself. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo Barry County ordinance specifically bans disconnecting from utilities; a resident still needs to satisfy the county's zoning, septic, and well requirements described above.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.2 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,444 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 47 in/yr
Snowfall: 7 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,738 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 20 to Oct 16

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Mercy Hospital Cassville: 0.9 mi
Fire station Holiday Island Volunteer Fire Department Station 3: 14.4 mi
Hardware store Michael's Hardware: 0.7 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 65625).

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.