Off-grid site report
Audubon County, IA
41.7216, -94.9308 · 1,352 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Audubon County, IA, 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 rulesAudubon County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyAudubon County Planning & Zoning administers zoning only in unincorporated areas under Iowa Code Chapter 335; the five incorporated towns control zoning within their own limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyManufactured homes are defined and allowed if on a permanent foundation with utilities; whether RVs or tiny homes on wheels can be year-round dwellings is not confirmed, so call county Planning & Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyA county Construction/Change Use Permit is required before any building starts in unincorporated areas, and Iowa's State Building Code applies as the baseline since the county is too small to have adopted a stricter local code. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems require a permit from the county Environmental Health Department following a percolation test and pre-cover inspection, under state DNR rules enforced locally. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Audubon County-specific greywater rule was found; this is not confirmed, so ask the county Environmental Health Department directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county or Iowa DNR rule specifically addressing residential rainwater catchment was found; treat as not confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell drilling requires both a state and a county permit, coordinated through Environmental Health, with a required water test after completion. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo county ordinance bans disconnecting from utilities, but occupied dwellings still need the Construction/Change Use Permit and must meet septic and well permitting requirements. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,419 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 35 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 24 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,078 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 30 to Sep 30
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Audubon County Memorial Hospital - 0.6 mi
- Fire station
Audubon Fire Department - 0.3 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 0.2 mi
- Grocery
Audubon Foodland - 0.3 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 50025).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Audubon County, IA?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.