Off-grid site report
Scott County, IA
41.5654, -90.5666 · 709 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Scott County, IA, 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 rulesScott County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedScott County maintains a full zoning ordinance for unincorporated land through Planning and Development; ag-zoned parcels are largely limited to existing platted lots or older small parcels for new homes, not open raw-land building. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyStandard single-family homes face zoning district restrictions; tiny homes and RVs as permanent dwellings are not addressed in any official county page found, so this is not confirmed. Ask Planning and Development. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedScott County has adopted its own versions of the IBC, IRC, IECC, NEC and related codes and issues permits and inspections through Planning and Development for unincorporated areas. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedPermitted through the Scott County Health Department under the county's own private sewage disposal ordinance, enforcing Iowa DNR minimum standards; systems serving four homes or fewer fall under county jurisdiction. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county or Iowa DNR page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse separate from septic rules; not confirmed, so check directly with the Scott County Health Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Scott County or Iowa DNR rule was found addressing residential rainwater harvesting; treat as not confirmed and ask the county if it matters for your project.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and inspected by the Scott County Health Department under its own well ordinance, with construction work required to be done by an Iowa DNR certified well contractor. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo outright ban on disconnecting from electric or water utilities was found, but a dwelling still must comply with county zoning, building codes, and, if off public systems, permitted well and septic setups. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,377 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 37 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,879 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 11 to Oct 26
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
MercyOne Genesis Medical Center - 1.7 mi
- Fire station
Davenport Fire Department Station 3 - 0.9 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 0.6 mi
- Grocery
Gordon Food Service Store - 0.7 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 52807).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Scott County, IA?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.