Off-grid site report

Jackson County, MN

43.6208, -94.9886 · 1,306 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jackson 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 rulesJackson County, MN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedJackson County requires setback permits for erecting, altering, or moving buildings, administered by the county's Development Code; permits expire after six months if construction hasn't started. Whether occupying raw land off-grid without a structure is separately restricted is not confirmed. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Jackson County ordinance specifically addressing tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found. Minnesota state guidance separates site-built tiny homes from park-model RVs, but the county's own treatment isn't confirmed, so ask county Land Management/Planning directly. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe City of Jackson requires building permits under its adopted code. It's not confirmed whether unincorporated Jackson County has separately adopted the state building code, since Minnesota only mandates it statewide within the seven-county Twin Cities metro. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedJackson County's Land Management office requires a permit to design, install, alter, or repair septic (SSTS) systems, consistent with the statewide requirement that counties administer SSTS programs under state rules. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ordinance on greywater reuse was found; it's likely addressed, if at all, within the SSTS permitting process. Confirm with Jackson County Environmental Services / Land Management.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Jackson County-specific rainwater ordinance was found. Statewide, indoor plumbed catchment systems fall under Department of Labor and Industry plumbing plan review, while outdoor rain barrels are unregulated.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells are permitted statewide under the Minnesota Department of Health well code (Minn. Stat. ch. 103I), administered through licensed well contractors, with Jackson County covered by an MDH regional office and maintaining its own county well index and incentive programs. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Jackson County ordinance was found requiring or prohibiting grid disconnection for residences outside city limits; this likely falls under general zoning and SSTS permitting rather than a standalone utility mandate. City of Jackson may have different, stricter requirements for incorporated areas.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,400 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
29 in/yr
Heating degree days
8,216 (severe)
Frost-free season
Apr 30 to Sep 30

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Sanford Jackson Medical Center
0.8 mi
Fire station
JACKSON CITY FIRE AND AMBULANCE
0.1 mi
Hardware store
Ace Hardware
0.5 mi
Grocery
Sunshine Foods
0.4 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 56143).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.