Off-grid site report
Baldwin County, AL
30.2588, -87.6862 · 23 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Baldwin County, AL, 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 rulesBaldwin County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyBaldwin County has no countywide zoning ordinance; it applies only in unincorporated planning districts that opted in, plus separately within each incorporated city. Confirm your parcel's status with the county Planning & Zoning Department. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Baldwin County page specifically addresses tiny home or RV occupancy as a residence; manufactured/mobile home installation requires a state-licensed installer under the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission. Ask Planning & Zoning or the applicable city about occupancy standards for your dwelling type. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Baldwin County Commission enforces the 2024 IBC and IRC (with amendments) as of a 2025 resolution, and permits are required even for owner-builders, though owners can self-perform trade work with separate permits. Coastal parcels face added Beach and Dune Protection and ADEM coastal permitting. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedAlabama state law requires a permit from the local health department before installing or repairing an onsite sewage system; Baldwin County Health Department administers this with no county-specific deviation found. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Baldwin County-specific greywater rule was found; the state ADPH rule governing greywater within the onsite sewage framework applies by default, administered by the county Health Department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Baldwin County ordinance or Health Department restriction on residential rainwater harvesting for non-potable use was found; this falls under the state's general absence of restriction.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedBaldwin County doesn't appear to issue well construction permits, that's handled by licensed drillers under state ADEM standards, but the county Health Department offers water testing support. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ordinance mandating utility hookup was found for a single parcel; subdivision regulations require utility willingness-to-serve letters, but that applies to platted subdivisions, not necessarily a lone off-grid homestead. Confirm with Planning & Zoning for your parcel type.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,479 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 67 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,858 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 6 to Nov 26
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
South Baldwin Regional Medical Center - 11.6 mi
- Fire station
Fire Station 1 - 0.9 mi
- Hardware store
Paris Ace Hardware - 0.5 mi
- Grocery
Rouses - 0.5 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 36547).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Baldwin County, AL?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 22, 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.