Off-grid site report

Story County, IA

42.1872, -93.5958 · 1,017 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedStory County applies countywide zoning under its Land Development Regulations; a 35-acre minimum generally applies for residential building in the A-1 district, though exceptions exist and require follow-up with Planning and Development. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyThe county has a dedicated manufactured housing zoning district, but tiny homes on wheels and long-term RV occupancy as a permanent dwelling are not addressed on official pages; ask Planning and Development directly. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedZoning-linked building permits are required for most structures countywide through Planning and Development; electrical permitting is handled separately by the State of Iowa, not the county. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Story County Environmental Health Department issues private sewage (septic) permits under state rules (567 IAC 69) and the county's own private sewage ordinance; composting toilet treatment under this ordinance is not confirmed. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo official Story County or Iowa DNR page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; this is not confirmed and should be asked of the Environmental Health Department.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo official county or state page addresses rainwater catchment as permitted, restricted, or requiring a permit; not confirmed, verify with Planning and Development or Environmental Health.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedNew wells require a site review, county-issued construction permit, and inspection through the Story County Environmental Health Department, following Iowa Administrative Code 567-49 setback standards. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo county ordinance bans off-grid utility disconnection, but occupied structures still need zoning permits, and any wastewater generation triggers Environmental Health review before a permit is issued. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,374 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 35 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,831 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 24 to Oct 3

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Mary Greeley Medical Center: 10.7 mi
Fire station Story City Fire Department: 0.1 mi
Hardware store Harbor Freight Tools: 9.7 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 9.4 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 50248).

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.