Off-grid site report
Midland County, TX
32.0312, -102.1470 · 2,818 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Midland 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 rulesMidland County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMidland County has no countywide zoning ordinance, per the county's FAQ, but the City of Midland's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) extends five miles from city limits, and within it city subdivision/platting rules apply instead. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county minimum-size or dwelling-type ordinance was found for unincorporated land; RV parks and man camps follow TCEQ state rules, and city dwelling definitions apply inside the ETJ. Not confirmed for tiny homes specifically. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe county does not appear to require a general building permit for stand-alone homes outside platted subdivisions or the ETJ, but it won't issue permits on unplatted subdivision lots and does issue driveway/road permits. City of Midland requires its own permits within city limits. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedMidland County, through the City-County Health Department, requires a septic (OSSF) permit for any onsite sewage system, following TCEQ's private sewage facility standards. Composting toilets are not specifically addressed, so confirm with the health department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Midland County or City of Midland page specifically addresses greywater reuse; it likely falls under the same TCEQ septic framework, but this is not confirmed. Ask the Health Department's Environmental Section.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Midland County ordinance restricting or incentivizing rainwater harvesting was found; state-level encouragement from the Texas Water Development Board is the general baseline.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyTexas follows the rule of capture with no statewide minimum acreage to drill a well, but a Groundwater Conservation District could impose local rules; whether Midland County now has an active GCD is not confirmed. All wells require a State Well Report filed with TDLR. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo Midland County ordinance requires connecting to electric, water, or sewer utilities on unincorporated land. Inside City of Midland subdivisions requiring plat approval, the city can withhold utility service until platting is complete. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,764 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 15 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 5 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,673 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 29 to Nov 10
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Midland Memorial Hospital - 3.6 mi
- Fire station
Midland Fire Station No. 8 - 1.2 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 0.6 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 79707).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Midland 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.