Off-grid site report
Morgan County, AL
34.5992, -86.9612 · 577 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Morgan 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 rulesMorgan County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMorgan County has no countywide zoning ordinance per the County Engineer's office; zoning applies only inside municipalities like Decatur or Hartselle under their own ordinances. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on tiny-home or RV occupancy was found; not confirmed outside towns. Inside Decatur or Hartselle, check their planning departments.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe County Engineer lists only floodplain, septic, and driveway permits for unincorporated development, with no general building code mentioned; building permits are enforced inside municipalities. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic (onsite sewage) is one of the county's three required development permits, administered by the Morgan County Health Department under statewide ADPH rules; a Permit to Install is required before installation. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater rule exists; greywater is regulated under ADPH's statewide onsite sewage framework, administered locally by the county health department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Morgan County restriction on rainwater collection for non-potable use was found in county materials.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted under the state's Water Well Standards Act (ADEM); the Morgan County Health Department offers well-water testing but well construction itself is a state, not county, matter. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo Morgan County ordinance requiring hookup to water, sewer, or electric was found; any mandatory-connection rule would come from a municipality or a water authority's service area, not the county. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,366 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 53 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,225 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 1 to Nov 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Decatur Morgan Hospital - 0.8 mi
- Fire station
Decatur Fire and Rescue 3 - 1.3 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 3.7 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Neighborhood Market - 1.4 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 35602).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Morgan 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.