Off-grid site report

Madison County, MS

32.4385, -90.1242 · 315 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Madison County, MS, 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 rulesMadison County, MS

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyUnincorporated Madison County has a countywide zoning ordinance administered by the Planning and Zoning Department, but permitted uses vary by district and it's not confirmed which districts allow off-grid homesteading outright. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedThe county ordinance regulates manufactured homes and manufactured home parks, but whether full-time RV or tiny-home-on-wheels living is allowed outside a park is not confirmed by an official county document; treat as restricted until Planning and Zoning confirms. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedMadison County's Planning and Zoning Department issues and enforces building permits and inspections for unincorporated areas; incorporated cities within the county issue their own permits separately. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems (individual on-site wastewater disposal) require a soil and site evaluation and permit through the Mississippi State Department of Health's statewide On-Site Wastewater program; no distinct Madison County health office page was found. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Madison County-specific greywater ordinance was found, so Mississippi's stricter statewide baseline (treating greywater similarly to sewage) applies by default.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found; the state's generally permissive stance applies by default.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate domestic wells are permitted but tied to Mississippi State Department of Health site evaluation and state well-driller licensure; no Madison County-specific water authority was confirmed. source

Living disconnected from utilities

RestrictedNo Madison County ordinance explicitly addressing full grid disconnection was found; the state baseline allows off-grid power generation but full disconnection may run into code or occupancy expectations, so confirm with Planning and Zoning.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,434 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 54 in/yr
Snowfall: 1 in/yr
Heating degree days: 2,392 (mild)
Frost-free season: Mar 20 to Nov 12

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Saint Dominic Hospital: 7.7 mi
Fire station Madison Fire Department: 1.1 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 1.9 mi
Grocery The Fresh Market: 1.4 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 39158).

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.