Off-grid site report
Collin County, TX
33.0801, -96.7364 · 692 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Collin 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 rulesCollin County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedCollin County confirms it has no zoning in unincorporated areas except for sexually-oriented businesses, salvage/junk yards, and animal slaughter operations. Land inside a city or its ETJ (McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, etc.) is subject to that city's separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county page specifically addresses tiny home or RV occupancy standards. Any project disturbing ground or adding footprint needs a county permit, and septic-connected structures trigger OSSF permitting regardless of size. Confirm specifics with Development Services. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedCollin County has adopted the 2021 International Fire Code with local amendments, and commercial projects are reviewed under the 2021 IFC and IBC. Permits are processed through Development Services, the Fire Marshal's Office, or Public Works depending on the work. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedOSSF permits are required outside city limits through the county's self-service portal, and Collin County layers additional rules (a county court order) on top of the state's 30 TAC Chapter 285 baseline. Permits expire after 365 days without activity. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Collin County greywater page was found; it's presumed to fall under the OSSF/state framework, but that is not confirmed. Ask Development Services directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Collin County restriction was found on rainwater harvesting. This follows the state baseline set by the Texas Water Development Board, with backflow protection required if connected to a public supply.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyCollin County lies within the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, created by state legislation in 2009. Wells under about 17.36 gallons per minute are exempt from district permitting with no minimum tract size, but larger wells need a district permit and pay production fees. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo countywide ordinance requires hookup to electric, water, or sewer utilities, but Development Services will not release permanent electric power on a permitted project until applicable OSSF/septic inspections pass. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,532 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 42 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,430 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - Plano - 5.5 mi
- Fire station
Plano Fire Department Station 6 - 1.8 mi
- Hardware store
Dallas Flooring Warehouse - 3.7 mi
- Grocery
Subzi Mandi - 1.1 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 75025).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Collin 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.