Off-grid site report

Montgomery County, MO

38.9775, -91.5049 · 850 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Montgomery County, MO, 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 rulesMontgomery County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMontgomery County Planning & Zoning administers building permits and setbacks countywide (different rules for RES zones vs. Rural Villages like Danville, Mineola, Big Spring), but whether the county has a formal Chapter 64 zoning vote on record is not confirmed. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedMobile homes manufactured more than 10 years before the application date are not permitted; tiny homes and RVs as residences are not specifically addressed by the county. source

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyCounty building permits are required for most structures, but agricultural buildings, fences, decks, pools, gazebos, picnic shelters, and open porches are exempt. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedThe county Health Department, under the Montgomery County Sewer Ordinance, requires a permit for all new septic installations regardless of acreage, and septic tanks must precede lagoons; self-install is allowed only after passing a state DHSS class and test. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department page addresses greywater reuse specifically; not confirmed, so ask the county Health Department's environmental division.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Montgomery County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, so the state's general allowance appears to apply.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedWell construction is governed by the state DNR Water Well Drillers Act program; the county Health Department separately recommends annual bacteria testing of private well water through the state DHSS lab. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNothing in county materials prohibits living off the public utility grid; the operative requirements are the septic permit and standard building permits for structures. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.0 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,420 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 42 in/yr
Snowfall: 16 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,467 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 12 to Oct 22

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Hermann Area District Hospital: 19.9 mi
Fire station Middletown Fire Department: 11.4 mi
Hardware store Meeks: 22.5 mi
Grocery Loutre Market: 17.3 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 63361).

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.