Off-grid site report
Denton County, TX
33.1293, -97.0451 · 604 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Denton 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 rulesDenton County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyDenton County has no general countywide zoning; that authority belongs to cities within their limits. The county's Development Services Department does run land-use programs like the Lake Ray Roberts Land Use Ordinance in specific areas. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo zoning bars particular dwelling types in unincorporated county, but a Development Permit is required for any building or structure change. Specific tiny-home or RV occupancy standards were not confirmed on an official county page. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThere's no general adopted building code for unincorporated Denton County, but a Development Permit, Fire Marshal permit (commercial), Culvert Permit, and OSSF permit may each be required depending on the project. Cities within the county enforce their own separate codes. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedDenton County Public Health's Environmental Health Division administers septic (OSSF) permitting under the state's Texas Administrative Code framework across unincorporated Denton County, including design review and inspections. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; greywater appears to be folded into the state OSSF permitting process administered by the Environmental Health Division. Confirm specifics with that office. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Denton County ordinance restricting residential rainwater harvesting was found, and the county itself practices and promotes rainwater collection. source
Private wells & water rights
Unclear - verifyDenton County is not part of an active Groundwater Conservation District, and regional sources note groundwater here is limited, with most residents on surface-water utilities. The state's default rule of capture likely applies, but this isn't confirmed by a Denton-specific regulator, so verify before drilling. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Denton County page requires connecting to electric, water, or sewer utilities in unincorporated areas; any such requirement would come from a specific city's ordinance, not the county.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,524 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 38 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,570 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 19 to Nov 17
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Plano - 16.8 mi
- Fire station
Little Elm Central Fire Station - 6.4 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 5.2 mi
- Grocery
Sprouts Farmers Market - 3.8 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 75065).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Denton 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.