Off-grid site report

Cass County, MO

38.6673, -94.3670 · 929 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedCass County has an adopted Zoning Order for unincorporated areas administered by the County Planning Board and Zoning Department; agricultural use/designation requires 20+ full acres. Incorporated cities in the county have their own separate zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedThe county requires new homes, including manufactured homes, to be at least 1,000 square feet, with manufactured homes needing to be 1976 or newer with a HUD seal. Accessory structures cannot be used as a dwelling; RV residency rules are not confirmed.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedCass County adopted the International Residential Code and International Building Code (2006 edition, as amended) for unincorporated areas; small accessory structures under 400 sq ft are exempt from a building permit but not necessarily from zoning approval. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Cass County Environmental Health Department administers its own onsite wastewater ordinance requiring a permit, soil evaluation, and state-registered installer; conventional septic needs a 3-acre minimum lot, evaporation ponds need 5 acres. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo standalone Cass County greywater ordinance was found; the county's wastewater rules define 'sewage' broadly enough to potentially include greywater. Confirm directly with the county Environmental Health Department.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Cass County restriction on private rainwater collection was found; county surface water rules target erosion/pollution from runoff, not harvesting, so this inherits the generally permissive state baseline.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedPrivate wells are governed mainly by Missouri DNR's statewide well construction rules; no distinct Cass County well ordinance was found, though subdivisions using private wells need DNR/DHSS approval. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNothing in the reviewed county code requires hookup to public water or sewer if a compliant private well and county-permitted septic system are in place, alongside meeting the dwelling size and building code rules.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,451 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 43 in/yr
Snowfall: 18 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,156 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 11 to Oct 25

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Cass Regional Medical Center: 0.6 mi
Fire station Lee's Summit Fire Station 5: 12.9 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 11.9 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 64701).

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.