Off-grid site report
Upton County, TX
31.2320, -101.8429 · 2,700 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Upton 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 rulesUpton County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo Upton County ordinance establishing countywide zoning was found. Texas counties generally lack broad zoning power, so unincorporated land is presumed unzoned, though this isn't formally confirmed by a county order. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Upton County ordinance on tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, or RV living was found. Texas allows counties limited authority to set residential construction standards since 2009, but there's no evidence Upton County has adopted any. source
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo building code adoption or permitting page for unincorporated Upton County was found on the county's official site. Texas has no statewide building code, so this must be confirmed directly with the county. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems (OSSF) are regulated under Texas state rules requiring a permit and approved plan, administered either locally or by TCEQ's regional office; a 10-acre-tract exemption exists under state rules. Confirm with the county which entity issues local permits. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo separate state or Upton County greywater program was found; greywater appears to be handled within the same OSSF/septic rules rather than as its own category. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedTexas state policy encourages rainwater harvesting, and no Upton County restriction was found.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyUpton County lies partly in a state-designated Priority Groundwater Management Area, and a water district may hold well-permitting authority, but whether that authority is currently active was not confirmed. Verify current status with the Upton County Water District or TWDB before drilling. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo state law or Upton County ordinance requiring utility connection was found for unincorporated land; incorporated towns like Rankin or McCamey may differ. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,765 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 15 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 1 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,266 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 20 to Nov 14
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Rankin County Hospital District - 5.4 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 22.8 mi
- Grocery
Lowe's Market - 22.2 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 79778).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Upton 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.