Off-grid site report
Putnam County, FL
29.7366, -81.9593 · 121 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Putnam County, FL, 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 rulesPutnam County, FL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnincorporated Putnam County has a countywide Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan; each parcel's zoning and future land use designation determine buildability, and a formal Lot Inquiry through Planning & Zoning is the official way to confirm. Towns within the county (Palatka, Crescent City, Interlachen, Welaka, Pomona Park) have their own separate codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county Building Department requires standard Florida Building Code permits for any residence, including tiny homes; small non-habitable accessory structures under 150 sq ft are exempt. Full-time RV or tiny-home-on-wheels occupancy outside a licensed RV park is not confirmed from an official source. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedPutnam County Building Department administers the Florida Building Code with local amendments under County Code Chapter 8, requiring permits, plan review, and inspections for most construction. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedOnsite sewage (septic) permitting is handled by the Florida Department of Health's Putnam County office rather than DEP directly, since Putnam hasn't transitioned to direct DEP permitting; private inspection providers are allowed since 2022. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Putnam-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state framework (limiting reuse to approved systems, mainly toilet/urinal flushing) appears to apply by default.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Putnam County page on residential rainwater catchment was found; it appears to be neither explicitly permitted nor restricted locally.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell construction permitting is delegated by the St. Johns River Water Management District to the Putnam County health department, and Putnam is listed among counties with delineated areas requiring additional well construction protections.
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo county ordinance bars disconnecting from the electric grid, but any permitted dwelling still needs a DOH-approved septic system and compliant water source plus a certificate of occupancy from the Building Department. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,506 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 52 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,325 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 1 to Dec 1
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
HCA Florida Starke Emergency - 16.5 mi
- Fire station
Florahome/Grandin Volunteer Fire Department - 4.5 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 5.3 mi
- Grocery
Williamson's Food Store - 5.4 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 32185).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Putnam County, FL?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.