Off-grid site report

Union County, AR

33.0172, -92.9587 · 230 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Union County, AR, 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 rulesUnion County, AR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyI couldn't confirm that Union County has adopted a countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated land. Arkansas law lets quorum courts adopt zoning but doesn't require it, and inside El Dorado city limits, city zoning and permitting apply. Confirm with the Union County Judge's office whether any unincorporated-area zoning exists. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyI found no Union County ordinance specifically addressing tiny homes or RV residency. Inside El Dorado, permits are required for most construction and renovation work, which likely extends to placing a dwelling, but this isn't explicitly confirmed for RV or tiny-home occupancy. Ask the El Dorado code enforcement office for in-town rules and the County Judge's office for unincorporated land.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, adopted by the State Fire Marshal, applies statewide including rural and unincorporated areas, and El Dorado has specifically adopted it for building projects within city limits. Actual enforcement mechanics for unincorporated Union County beyond this blanket state applicability weren't confirmed, so check with the County Judge's office and the State Fire Marshal. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic and onsite wastewater systems are regulated statewide by the Arkansas Department of Health, with county health units handling permit review, though a narrow exemption applies for a single residence on ten or more acres meeting certain setback conditions. Contact the Union County Health Unit's Onsite Environmental Specialist for permitting. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Union County-specific greywater ordinance was found, so the state baseline applies: greywater disposal falls under the Arkansas Department of Health's onsite wastewater authority and is generally expected to run through an ADH-approved system such as your septic setup. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedI found no Union County or state rule restricting rainwater catchment for personal use, so this appears permitted, but there's no county-specific ordinance on record confirming details, so ask the County Judge's office if you want it in writing.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Union County-specific well ordinance was found, so state Arkansas Department of Health well construction standards apply, with local permitting and inspection handled through the county health unit's Environmental Health Specialist. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Union County ordinance requiring hookup to electric, water, or sewer utilities was found. As at the state level, the main binding requirement is that any sewage disposal method still comply with ADH's onsite wastewater rules, regardless of whether you're connected to utilities. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
5.2 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,369 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
56 in/yr
Snowfall
1 in/yr
Heating degree days
2,819 (mild)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Claiborne Memorial Medical Center
16.5 mi
Fire station
Three Creeks Volunteer Fire Department
4.0 mi
Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools
20.9 mi
Grocery
Brookshire's
16.0 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 71038).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.