Off-grid site report
Hockley County, TX
33.8182, -102.5677 · 3,671 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hockley 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 rulesHockley County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyTexas counties generally lack general zoning power over unincorporated land, but no official Hockley County page confirms or denies a county-adopted land-use rule. Property inside Levelland or Anton city limits would fall under municipal zoning instead.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyTexas allows counties limited authority (since 2009) to adopt residential construction standards for unincorporated areas, but no official Hockley County adoption of size minimums or RV-occupancy rules was found. Confirm directly with the county.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo official Commissioners Court order adopting a building code for unincorporated Hockley County was located; Texas has no statewide building code by default. Cities within the county would have their own separately adopted codes and permit offices. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedTCEQ's statewide OSSF program (30 TAC Chapter 285) requires a permit and approved plan before constructing, altering, or operating a septic system. The specific Hockley County authorized agent administering this locally was not confirmed; if none exists, TCEQ's regional office is the permitting authority. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyGreywater appears to fall under the general state OSSF rules rather than a standalone program, and no Hockley County-specific greywater policy was found on an official page.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedRainwater harvesting is supported at the Texas state level, and the local groundwater district (HPWD) treats it as a management goal rather than a restricted activity. No county ordinance limiting it was found.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyPart of Hockley County lies within the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1, which requires a permit for wells expected to produce 17.5 gallons per minute or more; smaller domestic wells can be registered for free with HPWD for added protection. Confirm with HPWD whether your parcel falls inside the district. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state law requires utility hookup, and no official Hockley County ordinance mandating connection to electric, water, or sewer service in unincorporated areas was found. A municipal ordinance in Levelland or Anton could differ if you're inside city limits.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,782 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 19 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 8 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,698 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 8 to Oct 31
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Cochran Memorial Hospital - 12.8 mi
- Fire station
Morton Volunteer Fire Department - 12.7 mi
- Hardware store
Lewis Farm & Ranch Store - 12.7 mi
- Grocery
Morton Supermarket - 12.9 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 79353).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Hockley 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.