Off-grid site report
Madison County, AL
34.7288, -86.6794 · 673 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Madison County, AL, 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 rulesMadison County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyRules differ sharply between unincorporated Madison County, the City of Huntsville, and the City of Madison. Madison County government offers a zoning-inquiry contact for unincorporated land, but I couldn't confirm a detailed public zoning map or text; the City of Madison's Planning Commission and Planning & Economic Development Department handle zoning within city limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyPermitted through the standard building-permit process, but I could not confirm from an official source whether Madison County has adopted IRC Appendix Q for tiny homes, or how RVs/park models are treated for full-time occupancy. Confirm code edition and specifics with the county Inspection Department. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedA residential building permit is required, submitted via the county's CityView portal, and requires an address assignment plus proof of septic approval or sewer authorization. Inside the City of Madison, the city's own Building Department (Inspections, Permitting, Code Enforcement) handles this instead. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedAlabama state law requires a permit from the local health department before installing an onsite sewage system, an inspection, and an Approval for Use before occupancy; this is administered locally by the Madison County Health Department (ADPH). Composting toilets are not separately addressed in what I found, so ask this office directly. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Madison County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the county appears to defer to the state ADPH onsite-sewage rules that also govern septic systems. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Madison County ordinance restricting residential rainwater harvesting was found, so the state's baseline of no restriction appears to apply.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyStatewide, only ADEM-licensed drillers may drill wells, and the driller files the required ADEM paperwork. Inside the City of Madison's corporate limits, an additional municipal well permit from the Water and Wastewater Board is required and the well cannot connect to public water; this extra rule is not confirmed to apply in unincorporated county areas. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state law or confirmed Madison County ordinance requires connection to public water or sewer in unincorporated areas, but this was not conclusively confirmed either way. Check directly with Planning & Zoning or the Inspection Department for your specific parcel.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,392 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 54 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 2 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,002 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 28 to Nov 8
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Madison Hospital - 5.0 mi
- Fire station
Huntsville Fire Station #3 - 3.2 mi
- Hardware store
Home Outlet - 2.0 mi
- Grocery
Asian Market - 0.9 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 35806).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Madison County, AL?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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.