Off-grid site report
Tama County, IA
42.0800, -92.5915 · 922 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Tama 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 rulesTama County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyTama County has an adopted countywide Zoning Ordinance under Iowa Code Chapter 335, administered by the County Zoning Office, with zoning certificates required and a distinction between by-right uses and special exceptions decided by the Board of Adjustment. Incorporated towns within the county follow their own separate codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official excerpt was found spelling out minimum size or a specific rule on RVs or tiny homes as permanent residences; Iowa Code 335.30 limits county treatment of manufactured homes on ag land. Confirm specifics with the Tama County Zoning Office before placing a unit. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedA building permit and zoning certificate are required for new construction or repairs in unincorporated Tama County, issued by the Zoning and Planning Administrator, on top of Iowa's statewide Chapter 103A Building Code. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedPrivate sewage systems require a permit through the Tama County Environmental Health/Sanitarian office, which handles site analysis and soil sampling for installations. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Tama County or Iowa DNR source specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; ask the county Sanitarian's office directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Tama County ordinance or Iowa DNR rule addressing residential rainwater catchment was found in official sources.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell construction is permitted and regulated by the Tama County Sanitarian/Environmental Health office, which issues Non-Public Water Well Construction Permits and handles water testing. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo county ordinance explicitly bans disconnecting from utilities, but the zoning/building permit process and septic/well permitting still apply regardless of grid connection status. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,351 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 35 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 31 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,124 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 29 to Oct 5
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Central Iowa Healthcare - 16.3 mi
- Fire station
Toledo Volunteer Fire Department - 5.9 mi
- Hardware store
Menards - 17.7 mi
- Grocery
Fareway - 6.6 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 50632).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Tama 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.