Off-grid site report

Clarke County, IA

41.0341, -93.7666 · 1,145 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clarke 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 rulesClarke County, IA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyClarke County has countywide zoning in unincorporated areas, administered by the Board of Supervisors and Planning and Zoning Commission. Osceola, Murray, and Woodburn each run their own separate city zoning, so location within the county matters a lot. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe county ordinance covers modular and post-1976 manufactured homes meeting Iowa State Building Code, but excludes tents, cabins, trailers, and older mobile homes unless converted to real estate. Tiny homes aren't addressed as a distinct category, so this is not confirmed and should be checked with the zoning office. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedClarke County requires a building permit application and approval before any new construction or expansion begins. The administering office has moved within county government recently, so confirm current location by phone. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through a Tri-County Environmental Health arrangement covering Clarke, Decatur, and Ringgold counties, following Iowa DNR's private sewage disposal rules. An application, site drawing, and issued permit are required before construction starts. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Clarke County ordinance or guidance specifically addresses greywater reuse; ask the county Environmental Health office directly since this is not confirmed.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or Iowa DNR page was found permitting or restricting rainwater catchment; this mirrors a gap at the state level too.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate well construction permits for wells serving small numbers of people are issued through the county health department under state rule, and Clarke County Environmental Health handles this locally alongside septic permitting. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo ordinance explicitly bans full utility disconnection, but any occupied dwelling still needs a building permit and compliant septic and well permits under the frameworks above. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,412 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 38 in/yr
Snowfall: 26 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,516 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 27 to Oct 5

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Clarke County Hospital: 0.6 mi
Fire station Osceola Fire Department: 0.1 mi
Hardware store True Value: 0.8 mi
Grocery Fareway: 0.2 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 50213).

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.