Off-grid site report
Pickens County, AL
33.3829, -88.0075 · 230 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Pickens 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 rulesPickens County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo official Pickens County zoning ordinance or planning department page was found. Alabama counties generally lack independent zoning authority absent specific enabling legislation, so unincorporated areas may be unzoned, but this is not confirmed. Ask the Pickens County Commission directly. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official ordinance addressing tiny homes or RV occupancy on private land in Pickens County was found. This would follow from whatever zoning/building authority exists, which itself is unconfirmed.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo official Pickens County building department, code, or permit portal was located. The state does not enforce residential codes directly, so any requirement would be a county-level rule not currently documented online. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Pickens County Health Department administers onsite sewage, septic tank, and holding tank permits under Alabama Department of Public Health rules; installers must be licensed through the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo county-specific greywater ordinance exists; greywater falls under the same ADPH onsite sewage permitting framework administered by the Pickens County Health Department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo state or Pickens County rule was found restricting residential rainwater collection for non-potable use.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed statewide by ADEM under the Water Well Standards Act of 1988, requiring a licensed driller; the Pickens County Health Department also offers private well water testing. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state or Pickens County law was found requiring connection to public utilities, though individual towns within the county may have their own municipal rules.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,382 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 56 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,710 (mild)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Fayette Medical Center - 24.8 mi
- Fire station
Reform Volunteer Fire Department - 0.7 mi
- Hardware store
Sullivan Supply Inc. - 0.5 mi
- Grocery
Dollar General Market - 0.9 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 35481).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Pickens 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.