Off-grid site report
Wise County, TX
33.2285, -97.5947 · 1,014 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Wise County, TX, 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 rulesWise County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyWise County has no countywide zoning ordinance, which is normal since Texas counties generally lack zoning authority outside cities. If land is inside an incorporated city or its ETJ, that city's zoning code applies instead of the county.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Wise County ordinance addressing tiny homes, dwelling size, or long-term RV occupancy in unincorporated areas was found. Confirm directly with the county before relying on this.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedWise County does not require a general building permit in unincorporated areas; the county does issue specific permits like driveway, floodplain, and 911 addressing. Properties inside a city or its ETJ must go through that city's building department instead. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic (OSSF) permits are required through Wise County Public Works, acting as the state's authorized local agent under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo separate Wise County or TCEQ greywater rule was found; greywater appears to be handled within the general OSSF framework rather than as its own permit category. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Wise County restriction on rainwater harvesting was found, and Texas generally encourages it at the state level with no identified county deviation.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWise County falls under the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, which requires well registration and authorization for new well construction; drillers must also file a State Well Report with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Wise County ordinance requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities in unincorporated areas was found. This could differ inside an incorporated city or its ETJ.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,569 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 40 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 2 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,941 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Wise Health System - 0.8 mi
- Fire station
Decatur Fire Department - 0.6 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 0.3 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 76234).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Wise County, TX?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 21, 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.