Off-grid site report
Dickinson County, KS
38.6811, -96.9370 · 1,365 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Dickinson County, KS, 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 rulesDickinson County, KS
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedDickinson County has had countywide zoning since 1975 (updated through 2009), administered by a County Planning Commission; land near Chapman is reviewed via a joint city-county commission but the county retains zoning authority. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo county building code, but a zoning permit is required for dwellings; manufactured/mobile homes are treated as distinct zoning categories and must meet federal HUD standards. Tiny house/RV occupancy thresholds are not confirmed on the county's official site. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedDickinson County has no formal building code and doesn't inspect most construction, but requires a zoning permit (functioning as the building permit) plus proof of an approved water source before building new. Cities within the county like Chapman or Abilene may have their own separate codes. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe county has its own Sanitary Code (adopted 2006) layered on the state's KDHE Bulletin 4-2 standards, with permitting, soil profile review, and inspection handled by county Environmental Services; the Sand Springs Recharge Area requires Aerobic Treatment Units. Composting toilets are not separately addressed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Dickinson County greywater ordinance was found; it appears folded into the general private wastewater permitting overseen by Environmental Services. Not confirmed beyond that, so ask the county Sanitation office directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific restriction was found; this appears to inherit the state's Kansas Water Appropriation Act domestic-use exemption baseline. Not confirmed to differ from the state rule.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedDickinson County requires a permit for all private (non-public) water supplies through Environmental Services, layered on KDHE's statewide well-construction standards; wells must be drilled by a certified driller. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedThe county requires proof of an approved water source (Rural Water meter letter or well driller paperwork) before issuing a building/zoning permit, and wastewater permitting is also mandatory, so a fully utility-disconnected new dwelling isn't legally straightforward; no additional electric hookup mandate was found. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,533 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 35 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 19 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,323 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 23 to Oct 14
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Memorial Hospital - 22.2 mi
- Fire station
Herington Fire Department Station 2 - 1.2 mi
- Hardware store
Clark Lumber Do it center - 1.0 mi
- Grocery
Barnes Food Center - 0.7 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 67449).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Dickinson County, KS?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.