Off-grid site report

Volusia County, FL

29.3447, -81.1355 · 52 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Volusia 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 rulesVolusia County, FL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyVolusia County (Growth and Resource Management) runs countywide zoning for unincorporated land, with agricultural classifications ranging from roughly 1 to 25 acres minimum lot size depending on classification; incorporated cities like DeLand and New Smyrna Beach set their own separate zoning. Always confirm which jurisdiction your parcel is in. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyModular homes follow Florida Building Code, mobile/manufactured homes follow HUD standards with tie-downs, and accessory dwelling units are capped in size (up to 1,200 sq ft on lots under an acre) per Volusia County rules. Full-time standalone RV living outside a licensed park is not confirmed as generally permitted, check with the Zoning Technician.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding permits are required and follow the current Florida Building Code edition; unincorporated land goes through the Volusia County Building Department, while cities like DeLand and New Smyrna Beach handle their own permitting. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic (OSTDS) permitting and inspection in Volusia County stays with the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, since Volusia was not among the counties transferred to DEP direct permitting. Composting toilet acceptance is not confirmed for a specific parcel, contact DOH-Volusia Environmental Health. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Volusia-specific rule was found expanding greywater reuse; the statewide Florida Building Code baseline, which limits reuse mainly to toilet/urinal flushing, appears to apply. Not confirmed beyond that state baseline.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Volusia County or DOH-Volusia page addressing residential rainwater cisterns was found; the county's Waterwise Ordinance covers irrigation generally but doesn't squarely address household rainwater catchment. Not confirmed, ask the county directly.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell construction permitting and inspection in Volusia County is delegated from the St. Johns River Water Management District to the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County under a formal interagency agreement. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Volusia County ordinance was found explicitly banning or permitting full off-grid utility disconnection; occupied dwellings still need DOH-approved sewage disposal and a permitted water source before occupancy, and unincorporated areas carry stormwater and garbage fees tied to residential permits. Not confirmed whether electrical-grid disconnection itself is separately regulated.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
5.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
4.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,566 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
52 in/yr
Heating degree days
865 (mild)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center
7.2 mi
Fire station
Halifax Fire Department Station 13
1.8 mi
Hardware store
Ace Hardware
6.0 mi
Grocery
Publix
4.0 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 32176).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.