Off-grid site report
Martin County, TX
32.1219, -101.8098 · 2,694 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Martin County, TX, 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 rulesMartin County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyTexas counties generally lack broad zoning authority in unincorporated areas, and no Martin County ordinance confirming or denying zoning was found. The Commissioners' Court is the county's policy-making body to ask. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Martin County page addresses minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV occupancy. Texas counties gained limited authority in 2009 to set some residential construction standards, but it's not confirmed whether Martin County has used it.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo official Martin County building department or permitting page was found confirming adoption of a building code for unincorporated areas; this needs to be confirmed by phone with the county. source
Septic & composting toilets
Varies locallyTCEQ sets statewide septic (OSSF) rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285. Martin County does not appear on lists of counties with a delegated local authorized agent, so the applicable TCEQ regional office likely handles permitting, but this isn't officially confirmed by name for Martin County. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone greywater rule was found for the state or Martin County; greywater appears to be handled within the same OSSF septic framework. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRainwater harvesting is permitted and encouraged statewide in Texas, and no Martin County restriction was found.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyOutside a Groundwater Conservation District, Texas's rule of capture applies to wells; inside one, local district rules apply. No source confirmed which GCD, if any, covers Martin County.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state law requires utility hookups, and no Martin County ordinance on mandatory connections was found; any such rule would more likely come from a town like Stanton rather than the county.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,766 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 15 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 2 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,271 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 27 to Nov 12
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Martin County Hospital - 1.8 mi
- Fire station
Northeast Midland County Volunteer Fire Department - 11.7 mi
- Hardware store
Westlake Ace Hardware - 19.5 mi
- Grocery
Lawrence Bros - 0.6 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 79782).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Martin County, TX?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 21, 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.