Off-grid site report
Austin County, TX
29.7569, -96.1511 · 174 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Austin 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 rulesAustin County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyAustin County, like other Texas counties, has no general zoning authority over unincorporated land under the Texas Local Government Code; the county regulates subdivisions and development standards instead. If your parcel is inside a town's limits or ETJ, that town's zoning could apply, but this isn't confirmed for any specific town.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo dedicated ordinance on minimum dwelling size or RV/tiny-home occupancy was found. The county does require a development permit from the Permit Department before construction begins.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedAustin County requires a development permit from the Permit Department prior to construction, with the County Engineer determining if engineering plans are needed; whether a full residential building code has been adopted is not confirmed.
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems statewide require an OSSF permit under TCEQ rules (30 TAC Chapter 285), typically administered locally by a county-authorized agent. Austin County's specific authorized-agent office was not confirmed; contact the county or TCEQ's Authorized Agent search tool. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Austin County greywater ordinance was found; greywater appears to be addressed only within the state's OSSF framework. Not confirmed whether the county adds local rules beyond that.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Austin County restriction on rainwater harvesting was found, consistent with the state's general encouragement of the practice. Backflow/cross-connection rules would apply only if tied into a public water system.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedAll wells in Austin County fall under the Bluebonnet Groundwater Conservation District and must be registered, though typical single-family domestic wells are exempt from full permitting. Confirm exemption details directly with the district. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state or Austin County law requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities in unincorporated areas was found. A town's own code could impose such requirements if your property is within town limits.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.3 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,460 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,554 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Feb 22 to Dec 5
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
CHI Saint Joseph Health Bellville Hospital - 15.1 mi
- Fire station
Sealy Fire Deparment - 1.1 mi
- Hardware store
Hometown Hardware - 1.5 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 77474).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Austin 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.