Off-grid site report
Real County, TX
29.7262, -99.7623 · 1,608 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Real 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 rulesReal County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedReal County has no general countywide zoning authority, this is a Texas state-law baseline for unincorporated counties. The county does regulate land division through its own subdivision rules adopted by the Commissioners' Court. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Real County ordinance specifically addressing tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, or RV occupancy was found. State law only gives counties narrow, permissive authority over residential construction standards since 2009, and there's no statewide minimum size. Confirm current status with the county.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNot confirmed whether Real County has adopted a general residential building code; Texas counties typically have limited authority focused on floodplain and platting rather than full building codes. Check with the County Judge's office. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are regulated statewide by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and TCEQ rules (30 TAC 285); a permit is required unless your property is 10+ acres with no effluent crossing the property line. The exact Real County administering office is not confirmed, so call the County Judge's office to verify. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Real County or TCEQ greywater program was found; greywater appears to be handled under the general OSSF/septic rules rather than as its own permit category.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Real County ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting, and Texas state policy is generally encouraging of it, subject to plumbing backflow rules for connected systems.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedReal County sits inside the Real-Edwards Conservation and Reclamation District, which regulates groundwater wells in Real and Edwards counties; an application must be filed with the District before drilling, unlike counties with no groundwater district. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state or Real County rule was found requiring connection to grid electric, water, or sewer for rural unincorporated property, and the county has no incorporated cities imposing such mandates in available sources.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,515 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 30 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,402 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 1 to Nov 3
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Uvalde Memorial Hospital - 35.4 mi
- Fire station
Leakey Volunteer Fire Department - 0.5 mi
- Hardware store
Hevenor Lumber & Hardware - 15.5 mi
- Grocery
Leakey Mercantile - 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 78873).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Real 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.