Off-grid site report
Bastrop County, TX
30.1041, -97.3337 · 367 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Bastrop County, TX, 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 rulesBastrop County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyBastrop County has no countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated land, but it regulates subdivision and platting under Chapter 232 of the Texas Local Government Code. Cities like Bastrop have their own zoning and subdivision rules that extend into their ETJ, overriding the county baseline there. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Generally allowedTiny homes, RVs, and manufactured homes used as dwellings are treated as regulated 'development' by Bastrop County and require a Development Permit; parks with more than two units face additional infrastructure standards. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe county issues Development Permits rather than traditional building permits in unincorporated areas; it's not confirmed whether a full residential building code like the IRC is formally adopted countywide. Cities such as Bastrop issue standard building permits within city limits. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedOSSF systems are authorized under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, with Bastrop County Development Services acting as the local permitting authority requiring soil evaluation and, for aerobic systems, a maintenance contract. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Bastrop County greywater program was found; it appears folded into the state's general OSSF rules. Confirm specifics with Bastrop County Development Services.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found; this likely defaults to the more permissive state-level approach. Not confirmed with an official Bastrop County source.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedWells are regulated by the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District, a special-purpose district under Texas Water Code Section 36.0015, not by the county itself; non-exempt wells need an operating permit, though small domestic/livestock wells may qualify for exemptions.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Bastrop County page was found stating whether living fully disconnected from utilities is permitted or restricted in unincorporated areas; the county's documented focus is OSSF, addressing, driveway, and floodplain compliance rather than utility hookups.
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
- 1,464 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 38 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,751 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Ascension Seton Bastrop Hospital - 0.7 mi
- Fire station
Bastrop Fire Department Station 1 - 1.0 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 0.3 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 78602).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Bastrop County, TX?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 21, 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.