Off-grid site report
Wilson County, TX
29.1642, -98.1789 · 413 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Wilson 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 rulesWilson County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyWilson County has no general zoning ordinance for unincorporated land, since zoning is a municipal power in Texas, not a county one. The county instead controls development through subdivision, driveway, and floodplain permitting rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedNo standalone minimum dwelling size or RV-occupancy ordinance was found, but county subdivision rules require a septic permit before any structure not on public sewer can be occupied, which functions as a de facto occupancy control. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe county's Development office requires permits for development, driveways, and septic, but whether a full residential building code like the IRC has been adopted for unincorporated areas was not confirmed; ask the Development office directly. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedWilson County's Health & Public Safety office issues OSSF permits under TCEQ's statewide rules, requiring a floodplain permit first, soil evaluations, and a time-limited authorization to construct. Confirm current requirements and any deadlines directly with the county. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Wilson County-specific greywater ordinance was found; greywater appears to be handled under the same TCEQ OSSF framework the county administers for septic.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county restriction on rainwater harvesting was found, and the regional Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District actively promotes rainwater collection as a conservation strategy.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyPrivate wells in Wilson County are regulated by the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District rather than the county itself; specific exemption thresholds or spacing rules were not confirmed, so ask EUWCD directly.
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo ordinance was found requiring connection to electric or public water utilities for occupancy, but occupying a structure without public sewer still triggers the county's septic permit requirement. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,493 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 29 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,599 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 12 to Nov 22
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Connally Memorial Medical Center - 0.4 mi
- Fire station
Wilson County ESD # 5 Fire & Rescue - 3.0 mi
- Hardware store
McCoy's - 0.3 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 78114).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Wilson 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.