Off-grid site report
Harrison County, IA
41.6317, -95.8953 · 1,014 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Harrison 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 rulesHarrison County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHarrison County Planning & Zoning administers countywide zoning for unincorporated areas, but incorporated towns like Missouri Valley and Logan have their own zoning that overrides county rules inside city limits. Floodplain-zoned (F-1) parcels face extra restrictions. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Harrison County source specifically addresses tiny homes or RV occupancy standards; general building permit rules apply to new construction, and the state's manufactured-home protections on ag land (Iowa Code §335.30) are inherited as baseline.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedHarrison County Planning & Zoning issues building permits for new construction, remodeling, and repairs in unincorporated areas; a well or septic permit must be finalized before the building permit is issued. A filing fee applies but the amount isn't stated in official sources. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedHarrison County Environmental Health licenses and inspects septic system construction under Iowa DNR private sewage rules (567 IAC Ch. 69), with site, construction, and final inspections required. No county-specific composting toilet rule was found beyond the state standard. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Harrison County or Iowa DNR page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; ask Harrison County Environmental Health directly before installing a system.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Harrison County or Iowa DNR source was found permitting, restricting, or prohibiting residential rainwater catchment; confirm directly with the county or DNR before tying a system to a dwelling's water supply.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedHarrison County requires on-site review and approval for new wells, with water samples sent to the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab; the state requires a Private Well Construction Permit and work by a DNR Certified Well Contractor under 567 IAC Chapter 82.
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo Harrison County ordinance was found banning or specifically authorizing full grid disconnection, but building, septic, and well permitting still apply regardless of utility connection status. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,457 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 34 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 30 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,733 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 27 to Oct 3
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
CHI Health Missouri Valley - 4.8 mi
- Fire station
Missouri Valley Fire Department - 5.2 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 23.8 mi
- Grocery
Food Land - 5.1 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 51550).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Harrison County, IA?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.