Off-grid site report

Jasper County, IA

41.6275, -93.0479 · 850 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyJasper County has countywide zoning under a Unified Development Code administered by the Community Development Department; allowed uses, lot sizes, and setbacks depend on the district a parcel sits in. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedThe county's code bars RVs and travel trailers as dwellings in manufactured home park contexts and regulates manufactured homes closely; treatment of tiny homes on individual lots depends on the district, not confirmed as a blanket rule.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedJasper County requires a building permit with full plans through Community Development, and has adopted its own building code by ordinance. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems need a permit from Jasper County Environmental Health, applying Iowa DNR Chapter 69 standards locally. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Jasper County or Iowa DNR page specifically addresses greywater reuse separate from septic; ask Jasper County Environmental Health directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Jasper County or Iowa DNR source addressing residential rainwater catchment was found either permitting or restricting it.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells require a permit and site evaluation through Jasper County Environmental Health before drilling. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyThe county has no ordinance against disconnected living, but warns treated water and electric service aren't guaranteed everywhere, and any dwelling must still meet zoning, building, septic, and well permit rules. source

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): 3.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,399 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 36 in/yr
Snowfall: 29 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,887 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 24 to Oct 9

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital MercyOne Newton Medical Center: 5.2 mi
Fire station Newton Fire Department: 5.0 mi
Hardware store Spahn & Rose Lumber Co.: 4.8 mi
Grocery Hy-Vee: 4.8 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 50232).

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.