Off-grid site report
Jefferson County, WI
43.0056, -88.8073 · 817 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jefferson County, WI, 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 rulesJefferson County, WI
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyJefferson County administers a county zoning ordinance for unincorporated areas (agricultural and other districts), coordinated with town boards, but incorporated cities like Jefferson have their own separate codes. Which rules apply depends on your exact location. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Jefferson County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; the statewide Uniform Dwelling Code sets a baseline for standard construction, but county specifics are not confirmed. Ask Planning and Zoning directly. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedJefferson County's Planning and Zoning Department issues building permits, requiring a plot plan and payment before the permit moves into issuance, under the statewide UDC. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedJefferson County has its own POWTS ordinance administered by Planning and Zoning, requiring a sanitary permit before installation, with extra floodproofing rules in floodplains. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo distinct Jefferson County greywater ordinance was found; this likely falls under the state DSPS plumbing code, but that's not confirmed at the county level. Ask Planning and Zoning to be sure.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Jefferson County ordinance addressing outdoor rainwater collection was found in official sources. Not confirmed either way.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed by Wisconsin DNR's statewide well construction code, not a distinct Jefferson County permit; the county's Land and Water Conservation Department offers separate cost-share programs including old well closures. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Jefferson County or Wisconsin state source directly addresses living fully disconnected from utilities. This is a genuine gap, not confirmed at any level.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,337 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 37 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,159 (cold)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Fort Atkinson Memorial Hospital - 5.2 mi
- Fire station
Fort Atkinson Fire Station - 5.7 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 5.3 mi
- Grocery
Piggly Wiggly - 0.9 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 53549).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Jefferson County, WI?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.