Off-grid site report
Dubuque County, IA
42.4927, -90.6632 · 610 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Dubuque 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 rulesDubuque County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyDubuque County Zoning Department administers a countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated land, with variances and special uses handled by the Board of Adjustment. Towns inside the county, including the City of Dubuque, run their own separate zoning codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe county has a specific process for homes in A-1/A-2 agricultural districts, but tiny homes and RVs as permanent dwellings are not addressed in official sources; not confirmed. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedUnincorporated county building permits go through the Zoning Department, under the mandatory state baseline code in Iowa Code Chapter 103A. The City of Dubuque has its own separate permitting division. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Dubuque County Health Department enforces the state's private sewage disposal rules (567 IAC Chapter 69), requiring a site evaluation and construction permit before installation. Composting toilets appear to fall under this same framework. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county or state page specifically addresses greywater reuse; not confirmed. Ask the county Health Department directly, since it likely falls under the same septic permitting rules.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Dubuque County or Iowa DNR page was found permitting, restricting, or prohibiting residential rainwater catchment; not confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedThe Dubuque County Health Department must approve well location and issue a permit before drilling, part of the state DNR well permitting framework administered locally. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo explicit county ordinance bans off-grid utility disconnection, but new dwellings still require well and septic permits and typically a building permit through Zoning; electrical grid connection requirements are not confirmed. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,350 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 36 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 34 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,782 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 18 to Oct 19
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center - 0.6 mi
- Fire station
Dubuque Fire Department Headquarters & EMS ambulance - 0.7 mi
- Hardware store
Steve's Ace Hardware - 0.2 mi
- Grocery
Calico Bean Market - 0.3 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 52004).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Dubuque County, IA?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.