Off-grid site report

Howell County, MO

36.7578, -91.8853 · 1,053 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Howell County, MO, 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 rulesHowell County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo official countywide zoning ordinance or department was found for unincorporated Howell County; incorporated towns like West Plains handle their own zoning within city limits. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-level rule on tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, or RV living was confirmed; West Plains' Building and Development department governs construction standards inside city limits only. source

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo published countywide building code or permitting office was found for unincorporated Howell County; West Plains has its own building permit process inside city limits. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe Howell County Health Department issues septic permits countywide under Missouri DHSS standards, requiring an approved soil evaluator and a registered installer. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Howell County-specific greywater ordinance was found; state wastewater rules apply as a baseline, and MU Extension notes local governments can add stricter rules.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Howell County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, so the state's general allowance applies.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedPrivate wells are regulated at the state level by Missouri DNR; the Howell County Health Department offers water testing but no separate county well-construction ordinance was found.

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo Howell County ordinance was found prohibiting living disconnected from utilities; septic and well rules are the operative constraints.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,399 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 47 in/yr
Snowfall: 10 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,585 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 17 to Oct 18

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Mercy Saint Francis Hospital: 19.7 mi
Fire station West Plains Fire Dept Station 1: 0.6 mi
Hardware store Meek's: 1.1 mi
Grocery Aldi: 1.3 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 65775).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.