Off-grid site report

Renville County, MN

44.7891, -95.2117 · 1,083 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Renville County, MN, 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 rulesRenville County, MN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedRenville County has countywide zoning under its Land Use Ordinance (adopted under Minn. Stat. Ch. 394), administered by county Environmental Services & Community Development. Cities like Renville have their own separate zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo explicit county rule found on tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings; moving a building in requires a Road Authority permit and Zoning Administrator approval. Confirm with the Zoning Administrator. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyThe county ordinance references the Minnesota State Building Code 'when applicable,' but enforcement (permits/inspections) depends on local adoption, which isn't fully confirmed for Renville. Ask Environmental Services, which maintains a building inspector list. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted and regulated under state SSTS rules (Minn. Rules Ch. 7080-7083) plus the county's own sewage ordinance, administered by Environmental Services. Start with a licensed septic designer. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater rule was found; it likely falls under the general sewage ordinance. Confirm directly with Environmental Services.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Renville-specific rainwater ordinance found. Outdoor barrels are generally state-unregulated; indoor plumbed systems fall under state DLI plumbing code review. source

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and regulated statewide by the Minnesota Department of Health, which covers Renville County through its regional Well Management program; county zoning also enforces state well setback rules. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo explicit county or state rule found requiring grid or municipal utility hookup for rural occupancy. Confirm with Environmental Services and the Zoning Administrator before assuming full independence is fine.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,349 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 27 in/yr
Snowfall: 36 in/yr
Heating degree days: 8,328 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 3 to Sep 29

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Granite Falls Municipal Hospital: 16.3 mi
Fire station Renville Fire Department: 0.1 mi
Hardware store Redwood Building Center: 17.8 mi
Grocery B&D Market: 10.8 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 56284).

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.