Off-grid site report

Hancock County, MS

30.3044, -89.3844 · 36 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hancock County, MS, 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 rulesHancock County, MS

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHancock County has an actual Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations administered by Planning & Zoning; allowed uses depend on the parcel's district, with agricultural zones generally most permissive. This applies to unincorporated county land only; Bay St. Louis and Waveland have their own city codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedRVs and mobile/manufactured homes are separately regulated under a county RV Park Ordinance and Mobile Home Checklist. It's not confirmed whether a tiny house on wheels can be used as a permanent standalone residence outside an RV park. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding permits are mandatory and issued by Planning & Zoning; the county follows the 2018 International Building/Residential Codes and, under a 2006 state law (HB 1406), cannot opt out of coastal hurricane wind and flood mitigation code enforcement, unlike most inland Mississippi counties. NFIP participation adds flood-zone construction requirements. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are legal and administered by the Hancock County Health Department under statewide MSDH rules, requiring a licensed septic contractor and licensed soil scientist. Flotation anchoring for tanks is common in Gulf Coast counties but not officially confirmed for Hancock; verify with the Health Department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Hancock County ordinance specifically addressing greywater reuse was found; it presumably falls under the same MSDH onsite wastewater rules as septic. Confirm with the Hancock County Health Department or MSDH.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rain barrels or cisterns was found; rainwater harvesting appears to follow Mississippi's general state allowance with no added county permit requirement identified.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate domestic wells are permitted under state rules and exempt from MDEQ withdrawal permits, though drillers must be licensed under MDEQ's Water Well Contractor regulations. Much of the county is served by the Hancock County Utility Authority or Water & Sewer District, and it's not confirmed whether mandatory hookup applies where lines exist. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedNo Hancock County ordinance on mandatory grid connection or off-grid power was found; this defers to Mississippi's state baseline, where off-grid solar is legal but full utility disconnection status is uncertain. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
5.3 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
4.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,434 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
65 in/yr
Heating degree days
1,777 (mild)
Frost-free season
Feb 26 to Dec 3

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Hancock Medical Center
2.0 mi
Fire station
Waveland Fire Department
0.7 mi
Hardware store
Lowe's
0.4 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 39576).

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.