Off-grid site report
Nobles County, MN
43.6351, -95.5658 · 1,578 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Nobles County, MN, 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 rulesNobles County, MN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedNobles County has adopted its own countywide Land Use (Zoning) Ordinance plus a Joint Jurisdictional Ordinance with Worthington, covering districts, permitted/conditional uses, and setbacks. Raw-land occupancy is regulated locally, not left open. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe ordinance defines cabins and campgrounds separately, implying RVs/campers are treated as temporary campground uses rather than permanent dwellings; tiny home rules are not confirmed on an official county page. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedNobles County has adopted the Minnesota State Building Code, and permits go through the county's Environmental Services Land Use Permit process. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe county administers its own SSTS ordinance under state MPCA rules (Minn. Rules ch. 7080/7081); composting toilets likely fall under the same rules but aren't separately addressed on an official county page, so confirm with Environmental Services. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Nobles County greywater ordinance was found; state SSTS rules touch it only indirectly. Ask the county Environmental Services office directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater rule was found. Outdoor barrel collection is generally unregulated statewide, but indoor plumbed systems would involve state plumbing code review. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted under Minnesota's statewide Well Code, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health; no added county well ordinance was found. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Nobles County ordinance was found explicitly requiring or barring grid disconnection; this could surface through building code occupancy rules, so confirm with Building Inspections or Zoning.
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
- 1,389 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 29 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 38 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 8,064 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 1 to Oct 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Sanford Worthington Medical Center - 1.9 mi
- Fire station
WORTHINGTON FIRE STATION - 1.9 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 1.7 mi
- Grocery
Hy-Vee - 1.5 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 56187).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Nobles County, MN?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.