Off-grid site report

Jackson County, IA

42.0845, -90.3649 · 676 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jackson 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 rulesJackson County, IA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedJackson County has countywide zoning under Iowa Code Chapter 335, administered by the County Zoning Department for unincorporated areas; incorporated towns set their own rules. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyRVs and park models used as dwellings appear time-limited before being reclassified as mobile homes requiring a foundation, and tiny homes are reviewed case-by-case by the Zoning Department; exact time limits are not confirmed officially. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedA zoning/building permit is required before construction, alteration, or reconstruction, and an address from the County Engineer's Office is needed first since it's required on all permits. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedJackson County Environmental Health permits onsite wastewater systems serving four homes or fewer, requiring a licensed installer and a percolation test; composting toilet rules specifically are not confirmed. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo official Jackson County or Iowa DNR page on residential greywater reuse was found; ask Jackson County Environmental Health directly since it may fall under wastewater permitting.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county or state rule explicitly addressing residential rainwater catchment was found in this research; not confirmed either way.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate well construction permits are issued locally through Jackson County Environmental Health using the Iowa DNR's statewide IWIS system. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo explicit county rule bans full utility disconnection, but well and septic permits are still required regardless of grid-power status. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,397 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 36 in/yr
Snowfall: 31 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,849 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 27 to Oct 8

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Jackson County Regional Health Center: 15.3 mi
Fire station Preston Fire Department: 2.9 mi
Hardware store True Value: 10.7 mi
Grocery Sullivan's Foods: 10.9 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 52064).

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.