Off-grid site report
Polk County, TX
30.7101, -94.9334 · 184 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Polk 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 rulesPolk County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyPolk County has no general zoning ordinance for unincorporated land, typical for Texas counties; instead the Commissioners Court administers subdivision and manufactured-home placement rules under its Land Development Code. Land inside Livingston or Corrigan city limits follows city rules instead, not covered by this county research. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo minimum dwelling size found; a county development permit is required before building, adding a structure, or getting electric service, and manufactured/mobile homes are restricted to approved parks, subdivisions, or qualifying unplatted lots. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedPolk County issues development permits rather than enforcing a full adopted building code, and floodplain areas additionally require a Base Flood Elevation certificate reviewed by the county Floodplain Administrator. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic (OSSF) systems are permitted and enforced locally by Polk County's Permits Department under state TCEQ standards; a state-based 10-acre rule waives the permit fee (not the standards) for a first home on 10+ acre tracts. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Polk County greywater rule was found; it appears folded into the state OSSF framework (30 TAC 285) rather than regulated separately, so confirm specifics with TCEQ or the county Permits Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Polk County restriction on rainwater harvesting for domestic use was found; this follows the general Texas state baseline that rainwater collection is encouraged and unrestricted.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedThe Lower Trinity Groundwater Conservation District has required well registration permits in Polk County since 2009, though small domestic/livestock wells under 25,000 gallons/day are exempted by the state law governing the district; the state rule of capture otherwise applies. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Polk County ordinance was found mandating utility hookup for occupancy outside city limits, but the county's development permit system is described as a required gateway to obtaining electric service, so check directly with the Permit Office for your situation. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,341 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 52 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,772 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 4 to Nov 26
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
CHI Sainit Luke's Health-Memorial Livingston - 1.5 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 1.1 mi
- Grocery
Brookshire Brothers - 0.9 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 77351).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Polk 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.