Off-grid site report

Jasper County, IA

41.6805, -93.2460 · 787 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
4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
2.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,356 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
36 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,621 (cold)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
MercyOne Newton Medical Center
10.2 mi
Fire station
Newton Fire Department
9.8 mi
Hardware store
Spahn & Rose Lumber Co.
11.1 mi
Grocery
Fareway
10.1 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 50054).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.