Off-grid site report
Iredell County, NC
35.5862, -80.8627 · 814 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Iredell County, NC, 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 rulesIredell County, NC
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyIredell County Planning & Development administers zoning for unincorporated land under the county's Land Development Code, authorized by NCGS 160D-703. Inside Statesville, Troutman, or Mooresville limits/ETJ, the town's own zoning applies instead. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county's Land Development Code sets detailed standards for manufactured homes (permanent porch, wheels/axles removed) and caps accessory dwelling units at 650 heated square feet, subordinate to a main home. Tiny-home-on-wheels and RV occupancy rules beyond the state's Appendix Q are not confirmed at the county level. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Iredell County Building Standards Division issues permits and enforces the NC building code locally; permits expire if inspections lapse per state statute G.S. 153A-368. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedIredell County Environmental Health, acting as the local arm of NCDHHS, requires both an Improvement Permit and an Authorization to Construct before a septic system or building permit can proceed. Composting toilets are not separately addressed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; state rules under G.S. 143-350 and DEQ oversight likely apply by default. Confirm with Iredell County Environmental Health if you have a specific setup in mind.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found; state law (G.S. 143-138, S.L. 2009-243) governs and no county rule contradicts it.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedIredell County Environmental Health handles well site evaluations and required water sampling for wells built since July 2008, under state rules. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance explicitly bans or permits full off-grid utility disconnection, but a building permit requires an approved sewage plan (septic or sewer) first, which is the main practical constraint found.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,488 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 4 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,356 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 26 to Oct 17
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Atrium Health Kannapolis - 17.6 mi
- Fire station
Mooresville Fire Station 1 - 3.1 mi
- Hardware store
Ferguson Plumbing Supplies - 0.4 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.5 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 28117).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Iredell County, NC?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.