Off-grid site report
Hidalgo County, TX
26.2395, -98.2125 · 128 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hidalgo 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 rulesHidalgo County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHidalgo County has no general zoning ordinance but enforces countywide subdivision rules under Local Government Code Chapter 232, with stricter rules for lots of five acres or less presumed residential. Rules can differ inside a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedAs of a recent policy change, Hidalgo County Planning no longer issues development permits or utility clearances for RVs, travel trailers, or motor homes used as a primary residence. Tiny homes on permanent foundations follow standard residential construction rules instead. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county requires a development permit before any construction, tied to the fire marshal's building code, floodplain order, and septic (OSSF) compliance; plats must be filed per county subdivision rules. This authority comes from special state legislation (Ch. 232 LGC) for Hidalgo and Cameron counties. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedHidalgo County Health & Human Services Environmental Health Division permits and inspects on-site sewage facilities (OSSF) under TCEQ rules, applying countywide outside city limits. Composting toilets specifically are not addressed in county materials found, so ask Environmental Health directly.
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Hidalgo County greywater ordinance was found; it likely falls under the same state TCEQ OSSF framework the county administers for septic. Not confirmed, so ask county Environmental Health or TCEQ.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Hidalgo County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found; state-level TCEQ backflow/cross-connection rules would apply as they do statewide. Not confirmed whether the county has any added program.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyTexas has no statewide minimum acreage for drilling a well, and the rule of capture generally applies outside a Groundwater Conservation District. It's not confirmed whether a GCD covers Hidalgo County parcels, so check the Texas Water Development Board's GCD locator. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedHidalgo County Planning issues 'light and water' certificates tied to permit, floodplain, and OSSF compliance, and final utility service isn't provided until those standards are met. It's not confirmed whether going entirely without utility service is separately prohibited, so ask Planning. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,557 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 24 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 692 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance - 1.1 mi
- Fire station
McAllen Fire Department Station 2 - 1.3 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 1.1 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Neighborhood Market - 0.5 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 78502).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Hidalgo 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.