Off-grid site report
Houston County, AL
31.1777, -85.4027 · 302 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Houston 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 rulesHouston County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyHouston County has no countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated areas; the county's Subdivision Regulations govern platting instead. Inside Dothan or other towns, municipal zoning controls. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance addressing tiny home or RV occupancy was found; mobile home relocation is treated only as a road-use permit issue by the Road & Bridge Department. Municipal rules apply inside town limits. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Houston County Road & Bridge Department requires a building permit, and a separate flood-zone permit where applicable, before construction begins in unincorporated areas. Whether a specific residential code like the IRC is enforced countywide is not confirmed, so ask Road & Bridge directly. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedAlabama state law, administered locally by the Houston County Health Department under ADPH, requires a permit before installing or repairing any onsite sewage system not connected to public sewer, with a soils professional or engineer involved in the application. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Houston County-specific greywater rule exists; the statewide ADPH onsite sewage rule applies as the governing framework, administered locally by the county health department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Houston County or state restriction on residential rainwater collection for non-potable use was found in official sources.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells fall under Alabama's statewide well construction standards administered through licensed drillers; no distinct Houston County ordinance was found. The county's own Water & Rabies Lab department handles county-supplied water separately. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo county ordinance mandating connection to public water, sewer, or electric service was found for unincorporated Houston County land; municipal rules could differ if the parcel is inside a town.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,537 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 54 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,846 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Southeast Health - 3.5 mi
- Fire station
Dothan Fire Station 2 - 1.5 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 1.8 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 36301).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Houston 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.