Off-grid site report
Howard County, TX
32.2292, -101.4692 · 2,559 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Howard 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 rulesHoward County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo Howard County zoning ordinance was found for unincorporated land; Texas counties generally lack home-rule zoning authority. Inside Big Spring city limits, the city's own zoning code would apply instead. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV occupancy was found. Texas Local Government Code allows counties limited optional authority here, but Howard County has not shown an adopted standard.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo general countywide building-permit program for routine construction in unincorporated areas was found; the county's confirmed programs cover septic, road access, floodplain, platting, and addressing. Texas law also limits county permitting inside a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedHoward County's OSSF Office administers septic permits under state rules (30 TAC Chapter 285) with TCEQ, and construction cannot begin until a Notice of Approval is issued. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county greywater ordinance was found; it likely falls under the same OSSF/TCEQ 30 TAC 285 framework as septic, per the county's OSSF office.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Howard County ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting; it remains governed by the state's generally permissive/encouraging framework.
Private wells & water rights
Varies locallyTexas has no statewide well-drilling permit requirement, but about 100 of 254 counties sit inside a Groundwater Conservation District with added rules. It's not confirmed whether Howard County is covered, so check the state locator tool. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo Howard County ordinance requiring utility hookups on unincorporated land was found; such requirements, if any, would come from a municipality like Big Spring rather than the county.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 6.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,746 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 20 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 2 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,631 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 22 to Nov 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Shannon Medical Center - Big Spring - 1.4 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Harris Lumber & Hardware - 1.4 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 79720).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Howard 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.