Off-grid site report
Marengo County, AL
32.4940, -87.8521 · 167 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Marengo 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 rulesMarengo County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMarengo County has no countywide zoning ordinance or planning department; zoning only exists where a municipality like Demopolis has adopted it under Alabama's Municipal Zoning Enabling Act. Unincorporated land is not confirmed to have any zoning restriction. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Marengo County ordinance on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found for unincorporated land; inside Demopolis, the city's zoning and property-maintenance rules would apply. Confirm with the relevant office depending on location. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThere's no countywide building department or permit requirement confirmed for unincorporated Marengo County, but Demopolis has its own Building Department requiring permits and inspections for construction inside city limits. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Marengo County Health Department, under the Alabama Department of Public Health, permits and inspects onsite sewage systems statewide, and installers must be licensed by the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater rule exists; greywater disposal falls under the same state onsite sewage program administered locally by the county health department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo state or Marengo County restriction on rainwater harvesting was found in official sources, so this appears to be allowed by default.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo county-specific well ordinance was found; private wells are governed at the state level under ADEM's Water Well Standards Act, filed through a licensed well driller.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Marengo County ordinance requiring utility hookups was found for unincorporated land, and no mandatory-connection rule is confirmed; check with Demopolis or another town's code if your property is inside city limits.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,413 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 55 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,741 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 24 to Nov 9
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital - 1.2 mi
- Fire station
Fire Station Number 2 - 0.8 mi
- Hardware store
J & B Parts & Hardware - 20.4 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.2 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 36732).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Marengo 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.