Off-grid site report
Fayette County, TX
29.9025, -96.9050 · 285 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Fayette 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 rulesFayette County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedTexas counties, including Fayette, lack general zoning authority, and no countywide zoning ordinance was found. The county does regulate subdivisions, plats, and floodplain development; towns within the county may have their own zoning or ETJ rules that override this. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Fayette County ordinance on tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, or RV occupancy was confirmed. State law lets counties restrict mobile home installation, but it's not confirmed whether Fayette County has done so; ask the county directly. source
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo evidence of a general countywide building code for unincorporated Fayette County was found. Confirmed county permitting is limited to floodplain development and septic (OSSF), administered by the Floodplain Administration and Health Department. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedFayette County Health Department requires a permit, certified installer, and Sanitarian inspection for all septic systems, under state OSSF rules (Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, 30 TAC Chapter 285) plus a 2006 county order. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Fayette County greywater ordinance was found; it appears folded into the county's OSSF/septic framework, consistent with the state not treating greywater separately. Confirm specifics with the Fayette County Health Department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Fayette County restriction on rainwater harvesting was found; this follows the state's generally permissive baseline (see Texas Water Development Board resources).
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedThe Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District regulates well drilling, operating permits, transport permits, property-line setbacks, and requires licensed drillers/pump installers. Small domestic wells may have exemptions; confirm with the district. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Fayette County ordinance requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer was found for unincorporated areas; this is unconfirmed but no such requirement is apparent. Towns within the county may have their own connection rules.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,468 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 40 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,707 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 8 to Nov 24
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Seton Smithville Regional Hospital - 15.5 mi
- Fire station
Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department - 13.7 mi
- Hardware store
Sutherland Lumber Co - 0.2 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 78945).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Fayette 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.