Off-grid site report

Newton County, MO

36.8405, -94.3947 · 1,211 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Newton County, MO, 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 rulesNewton County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo official Newton County zoning ordinance or planning department was found; Missouri law requires voter approval before a county adopts planning/zoning and no evidence surfaced that Newton County has. Cities like Neosho have their own zoning code, but that only applies inside city limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county rule on dwelling size, tiny homes, or RVs was found for unincorporated land; Neosho's municipal code separately covers mobile home parks and RV parks within city limits. source
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyA Missouri state dataset lists Newton County but doesn't clarify what code, if any, is adopted for unincorporated areas; confirm directly with the County Commission. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedNewton County Health Department reviews and permits onsite wastewater systems under a local wastewater ordinance, working within Missouri DHSS state standards; a construction permit is required on residential parcels under three acres. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Newton County or Missouri state rule specific to greywater reuse was found; confirm with the county health department alongside septic permitting.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Newton County restriction was found; this follows Missouri's state baseline allowing landowners to collect rainwater.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedMissouri's Water Well Drillers Act and Well Construction Rules (10 CSR 23) govern well construction statewide via DNR, though landowners may install their own well without a permit; Newton County Health Department offers well water testing services. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo Newton County ordinance requiring hookup to public water or sewer was found; private wells and permitted septic serve as lawful alternatives under the state baseline.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
5.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,453 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
48 in/yr
Snowfall
10 in/yr
Heating degree days
4,542 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 18 to Oct 18

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Freeman Neosho Hospital
2.3 mi
Fire station
Duenweg Fire Department
16.7 mi
Hardware store
Lowe's
0.1 mi
Grocery
Walmart Supercenter
0.2 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 64850).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.