Off-grid site report
Butler County, KS
37.6489, -97.1230 · 1,303 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Butler County, KS, 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 rulesButler County, KS
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyButler County has adopted its own countywide zoning and subdivision regulations and a Comprehensive Development Plan, administered by the Planning and Zoning Division. Cities like Augusta and El Dorado have their own separate zoning within city limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedManufactured homes and RVs are handled through a conditional 'hardship' placement process requiring sanitation code compliance and a notarized affidavit; no official minimum-size rule for tiny homes was found. source
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyThe county's Community Development/Planning & Zoning Division handles building-related permitting, but the specific building code edition adopted countywide was not confirmed in official sources; incorporated cities run their own building departments. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedA permit is required before installing or majorly repairing a septic system, with county-set separation distances and KDHE pre-approval of tanks; composting toilets are not addressed in any official county document found. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo dedicated Butler County or KDHE document on standalone greywater reuse was found; it is presumed folded into general sanitation code wastewater rules, but this is not confirmed. Ask the Environmental Health Division.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting or specifically permitting rainwater collection was found, so this follows the state's domestic-use exemption under the Kansas Water Appropriation Act.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are permitted through the county's combined Well or Sewer Environmental Permit, issued by the Division of Environment, and Certificates of Occupancy require passing final environmental and building inspections. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedGoing off-grid on utilities is possible but not unregulated: the county requires an approved well/septic system and passed inspections before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, so full self-sufficiency has to run through the county's permitting process.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,534 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 34 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,625 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 10 to Oct 27
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Via Christi St. Joseph - 9.4 mi
- Fire station
Andover Fire And Rescue - 3.7 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 4.6 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 4.8 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 67232).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Butler County, KS?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.