Off-grid site report

Marion County, IA

41.3057, -93.1077 · 906 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Marion County, IA, 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 rulesMarion County, IA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMarion County has been zoned countywide since 1971 (Pershing Township added in 2023). Raw-land occupancy isn't separately addressed; it falls under general district standards in Chapter 55, so confirm with the Zoning Office before buying or occupying land. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyNo dedicated tiny-home or minimum-size ordinance found. RV/campground use with permanent hookups for two or more campers needs a Special Use Permit in the A-1 district; manufactured homes on ag land get state-level protection under Iowa Code 335.30. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedMarion County Zoning issues building permits for all new construction and expansions, but the county does not perform its own inspections. Electrical work must be inspected by the State of Iowa. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedMarion County Environmental Health enforces state Chapter 69 rules and requires a septic permit before a building permit is approved; installers must hold state CIOWTS certification. Most of the county is unsewered so an individual system is generally required. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Marion County or Iowa DNR page specifically addresses greywater reuse. Ask Marion County Environmental Health, which administers the septic/wastewater program.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county or state page was found addressing rainwater catchment permitting or restriction in Marion County.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate well construction permits are issued locally by the county board of health under Iowa DNR's Private Well Program, using the state IWIS system; Environmental Health also handles testing and plugging of abandoned wells. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo ordinance bans disconnecting from electric or gas utilities, but a habitable dwelling still must comply with septic and building permit requirements regardless of grid connection. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,401 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 38 in/yr
Snowfall: 27 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,376 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 21 to Oct 14

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Knoxville Hospital: 0.4 mi
Fire station Knoxville Rural Fire Department: 1.0 mi
Hardware store M-D Hardware Store: 9.0 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 0.1 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 50138).

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.