Off-grid site report
Blount County, AL
33.9312, -86.7942 · 535 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Blount County, AL, 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 rulesBlount County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyBlount County has no countywide zoning ordinance, per the county's own subdivision regulations; zoning only exists inside incorporated towns like Highland Lake, Blountsville, and Oneonta, each under its own municipal code. Unincorporated land is largely unregulated for use, subject to county subdivision/platting rules on lot creation. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-level rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found for unincorporated Blount County; Blountsville's town zoning code does define and regulate travel trailers, showing this is a town-by-town matter. Ask the county Permits office to confirm the unincorporated-area status. source
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyThe Blount County Commission runs a Permits office, but whether unincorporated Blount County enforces residential building permits for a standalone dwelling was not confirmed from official sources. Alabama's statewide code is only enforced where local governments choose to enforce it. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Blount County Health Department's Environmental Services office administers Alabama's statewide onsite sewage program; you must get a Permit to Install before building a septic system, and composting toilets fall under the same ADPH framework. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Blount County-specific greywater ordinance was found, so the state ADPH rule applies, which restricts greywater reuse. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Blount County ordinance restricts residential rainwater collection; this follows the state baseline, which has no statewide restriction.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Blount County ordinance adds requirements beyond the state ADEM well-construction standards; wells are handled by licensed drillers under the statewide program.
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo county-level mandatory utility-hookup ordinance was found for Blount County; check the specific town's code if your property is inside municipal limits, since a town could require hookup even where the county doesn't.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,361 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 57 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,135 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
UAB Saint Vincent Blount - 17.2 mi
- Fire station
Hayden Fire Department - 3.0 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 8.6 mi
- Grocery
Piggly Wiggly - 8.6 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 35079).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Blount County, AL?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.