Off-grid site report

Van Buren County, AR

35.5672, -92.4525 · 797 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Van Buren County, AR, 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 rulesVan Buren County, AR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo published countywide zoning ordinance was found on the official Van Buren County site. Arkansas counties aren't required to adopt zoning, and this appears to be an unzoned rural county, but that's not confirmed by the county government directly. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county rule on tiny homes, manufactured housing, or RV living was found. Incorporated towns inside the county (Clinton, Shirley, Damascus) may have their own separate codes not covered here.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo county building department, code, or permit fee schedule was found; the state's Fire Prevention Code (State Fire Marshal) is the only confirmed statewide baseline. Whether the county enforces building permits in unincorporated areas is not confirmed. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Arkansas Department of Health regulates onsite wastewater statewide and administers it locally through county Environmental Health Specialists; a narrow exemption exists for a single residence on ten or more acres with all system components over 200 feet from property lines. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Van Buren County-specific greywater rule exists; it falls under ADH's statewide onsite wastewater rules, which generally require treatment through an approved septic system. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo state or county restriction on private rainwater collection was found; it appears to be unregulated for typical household use.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed by Arkansas Department of Health well-construction standards statewide; no Van Buren County supplement or additional ordinance was found.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo ordinance was found requiring hookup to electric, gas, or municipal water/sewer for Van Buren County residents, though sewage disposal still must comply with ADH onsite wastewater rules regardless of grid connection. source

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: 1,393 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 45 in/yr
Snowfall: 5 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,069 (moderate)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Ozark Health Medical Center: 0.5 mi
Fire station Clinton Volunteer Fire Station 2: 0.7 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 24.1 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 72031).

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.