Off-grid site report
Refugio County, TX
28.3045, -97.2746 · 59 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Refugio 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 rulesRefugio County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo comprehensive countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated land was confirmed; Texas counties generally lack general zoning power. The county regulates subdivisions and manufactured home rental communities specifically. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyRules for manufactured home communities exist per the county, but specific size, foundation, or RV-occupancy standards for unincorporated land were not confirmed. Ask the county Regulations office. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyTexas Department of Insurance assigns Refugio County communities to Inland I (120 mph) or Inland II (110 mph) wind zones under 2006 IBC/IRC with Texas revisions for windstorm certification; whether a full general building code applies countywide was not confirmed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedTCEQ regulates septic systems statewide under Health & Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC 285, requiring permits and licensed design; whether Refugio County itself is the authorized local permitting agent versus deferring to the TCEQ regional office was not confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county or state greywater ordinance was found; it's addressed within the general OSSF framework rather than a distinct program.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Refugio County restriction found; state-level policy generally encourages rainwater harvesting.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Refugio Groundwater Conservation District covers the whole county under Texas Water Code Chapter 36, but its management plan states the District will not regulate domestic or livestock wells, though a well registration program exists. Non-exempt wells require permits and annual reporting. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance requiring utility hookup for unincorporated land was found; any such rule would most likely come from the Town of Refugio's municipal code, not the county.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,486 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 37 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,188 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 24 to Dec 5
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Refugio County Memorial Hospital - 0.4 mi
- Fire station
Refugio Volunteer Fire Department - 0.3 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 22.4 mi
- Grocery
H-E-B - 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 78377).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Refugio 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.