Off-grid site report

Pocahontas County, IA

42.7368, -94.6689 · 1,234 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyPocahontas County has its own zoning ordinance administered by the county Zoning Office, including building permit, variance, and special exception applications. Specific lot size/setback rules by district weren't confirmed from published text, so ask Zoning for your parcel's district. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Pocahontas-specific published rule on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; state law (Iowa Code 335.30) limits extra restrictions on HUD-code manufactured homes. Confirm directly with the county Zoning Office. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedPocahontas County requires a building permit for construction, applied for through the county Zoning Office. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe county's Environmental Health program under the Board of Health handles septic design and permitting, enforcing Iowa DNR Chapter 69 rules per Iowa Code 455B.172(4). Composting toilets aren't separately addressed but likely fall under the same framework. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Pocahontas County greywater ordinance was found, and Iowa has no dedicated statewide greywater statute confirmed. Ask the county Environmental Health office directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county or state rule specifically permitting, restricting, or prohibiting residential rainwater catchment was found for Pocahontas County.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe county issues private well permits and performs inspections, adopting Iowa Administrative Code 567 Chapters 49 and 39 by reference; construction or alteration of a private water supply requires a county permit with fees set by the Board of Health. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo county ordinance was found banning off-grid or disconnected living, but occupied structures still must meet the county's zoning, building, well, and septic permit requirements. 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: 1,383 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 34 in/yr
Snowfall: 38 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,371 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 25 to Oct 4

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Pocahontas Community Hospital: 0.5 mi
Fire station Pocahontas Fire Department: 0.5 mi
Hardware store R & J Lumber & Construction Co.: 8.1 mi
Grocery Manson Hometown Grocery: 15.8 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 50574).

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. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.