Off-grid site report
DeKalb County, GA
33.7485, -84.0783 · 830 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for DeKalb County, GA, 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 rulesDeKalb County, GA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnincorporated DeKalb County has countywide zoning administered by the county's Zoning Division (Chapter 27 of the county code). Cities within DeKalb (Decatur, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, etc.) run their own zoning instead, so which authority applies depends on the exact parcel. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyDeKalb's zoning ordinance addresses manufactured/mobile homes and dwelling use categories, but official sources don't clearly settle tiny houses on wheels or full-time RV living outside a licensed mobile home park. Confirm directly with the county Zoning Division. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county's Permits, Plan Review & Inspections Division requires a building permit for construction in unincorporated DeKalb, and homes not on public sewer must also get Watershed Management sign-off on a Sewer Capacity Evaluation before a permit issues. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe DeKalb Board of Health's Environmental Health Division requires a sanitation permit before any septic system construction or alteration, and may require a percolation test first; composting toilets fall under the same 'septic toilet' permit language without a distinct standard confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo DeKalb County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this likely falls back to Georgia's state greywater statute, but that's not confirmed as DeKalb's official position.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo DeKalb-specific rainwater harvesting rule was found; likely governed by the state plumbing code baseline, but DeKalb Watershed Management should be asked about any local conditions.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through the DeKalb Board of Health's Environmental Health Division, working within the state well program, with well location reviewed alongside septic siting.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone DeKalb ordinance on disconnecting from the electric grid or public utilities was found; practical off-grid setups still must clear building permit, septic/well permit, and (if not on sewer) Watershed sign-off requirements.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.2 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,437 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 53 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,944 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 24 to Nov 13
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Georgia Regional Hospital Atlanta - 11.9 mi
- Fire station
Dekalb County Fire Rescue - Station 25 - 3.0 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 5.6 mi
- Grocery
Kroger - 7.1 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 30058).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in DeKalb County, GA?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 22, 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.