Off-grid site report

Martin County, MN

43.5085, -94.8543 · 1,401 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Martin County, MN, 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 rulesMartin County, MN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMartin County administers a countywide Zoning Ordinance dividing unincorporated land into districts; specific rules on raw-land occupancy vary by district and require checking with the county office. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Martin County page specifically addresses tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings; this is decided case-by-case by the Planning & Zoning Office.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedMartin County requires building permits for construction projects and enforces the Minnesota State Building Code locally through its Planning & Zoning Department. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedMartin County permits and inspects septic (SSTS) systems under its own Sewage and Wastewater Treatment Ordinance, implementing state MPCA rules; composting toilets are allowed under state rules but confirm any county documentation needed. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater provision was found; any allowance would be embedded in the county's septic ordinance, so ask Planning & Zoning directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Martin County rainwater ordinance found; outdoor rain barrels are unregulated statewide and indoor plumbed systems fall under state plumbing code (MN DLI), not a county rule.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWell construction is regulated at the state level by the Minnesota Department of Health; a DNR water use permit is only required above high-volume thresholds, which a typical homestead well is unlikely to hit. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Martin County ordinance requiring grid, water, or sewer hookup was found; if any occupancy standard touches this it would be in the Zoning Ordinance, so confirm with Planning & Zoning.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.6 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,354 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 31 in/yr
Heating degree days: 7,859 (severe)
Frost-free season: May 1 to Oct 1

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Avera Holy Family Hospital: 6.9 mi
Fire station Dunnell Fire Hall: 5.2 mi
Hardware store Ficks Ace Hardware: 7.4 mi
Grocery Hy-Vee: 7.4 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 56127).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.