Off-grid site report
Brazoria County, TX
29.0468, -95.4578 · 23 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Brazoria 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 rulesBrazoria County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyBrazoria County confirms it has no zoning or land-use regulation in unincorporated areas, but incorporated cities within the county set their own zoning. The county does regulate subdivision of land through its Engineering Department. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo countywide restriction on dwelling type in unincorporated areas beyond building/floodplain permitting, but cities like Brazoria require a special use permit for manufactured homes or travel trailers used as dwellings outside a licensed park. Ask the county for confirmation on RV-as-residence rules outside city limits. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county's Floodplain/911 Administration office requires permits for new or relocated structures over 200 sq ft, manufactured homes, and major additions, with elevation requirements tied to FEMA flood zones set by Commissioners' Court. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe county's Environmental Health Department administers OSSF permitting under state rules, but offers an exemption from planning, permitting, and inspection for single-family septic systems on tracts of 10 acres or more meeting specific setback and single-dwelling conditions. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; greywater appears to be addressed only through state OSSF design rules rather than a distinct county program. Confirm directly with the Environmental Health Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Brazoria County ordinance or program addressing rainwater harvesting specifically was found, so this likely defaults to the generally permissive state baseline. Not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyBrazoria County lies entirely within the Brazoria County Groundwater Conservation District, which modifies the state rule of capture; certain small domestic, agricultural, or low-yield wells on 10+ acre tracts are exempt from permitting, but others require a District well permit. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Brazoria County ordinance was found requiring utility hookups for occupancy in unincorporated areas; any such requirement would likely come from an incorporated city's code instead.
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
- 1,417 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 51 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,314 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 20 to Dec 9
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
St. Luke's Health - Brazosport Hospital - 1.2 mi
- Fire station
Lake Jackson Fire Station 1 - 0.9 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 0.2 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 77566).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Brazoria 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.