Off-grid site report
Hill County, TX
32.0033, -97.0972 · 659 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hill 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 rulesHill County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyHill County has no countywide zoning ordinance; the Commissioners Court regulates land subdivision (platting), not general land use, under its Subdivision Rules and Regulations. Incorporated cities like Hillsboro have separate zoning that applies within city limits/ETJ. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Hill County document adopting a residential building code or dwelling-size standard for unincorporated land was found. Inside Hillsboro, mobile/manufactured home relocation and replacement are separately and more strictly regulated by the city. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyNo general county building-permit requirement was found for unincorporated areas, but a floodplain development permit is required under the Subdivision Ordinance for new structures in mapped flood zones, administered by the county. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedHill County administers its own OSSF permitting program under state law (Texas Health and Safety Code Ch. 366, 30 TAC §285) through the Sheriff's Environmental Compliance Unit, requiring an Authorization to Construct before installation. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo separate Hill County or TCEQ greywater ordinance was found; greywater appears to be handled within the standard OSSF/septic permitting framework. Confirm specifics with the county's Environmental Compliance Unit.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Hill County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found. The state of Texas generally permits and even encourages rainwater collection, with plumbing cross-connection rules applying only if tied to a potable system.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyPrivate wells in Hill County are regulated by the Prairielands Groundwater Conservation District (covering Ellis, Hill, Johnson, and Somervell counties), not the county government. Most small household wells are exempt from full permitting but generally still need registration. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Hill County ordinance was found requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities in unincorporated areas. Any such requirement would more likely come from an incorporated city's code.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,519 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 38 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,214 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 23 to Nov 13
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Hill Regional Hospital - 0.7 mi
- Fire station
Milford Volunteer Fire Department - 12.2 mi
- Hardware store
Fleming Lumber - 2.3 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.2 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 76645).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Hill 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.