Off-grid site report

Monona County, IA

42.0066, -96.2404 · 1,030 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Monona 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 rulesMonona County, IA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyMonona County has a countywide Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 100) for unincorporated areas, run by Environmental Health & Zoning with a Zoning Commission and Board of Adjustment. Towns within the county like Onawa or Mapleton have their own separate zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county rule specifically addresses tiny homes or long-term RV occupancy. A construction permit is required for any new structure or moved-in building in unincorporated areas, but whether tiny houses/RVs qualify as dwellings isn't confirmed; ask the Zoning Administrator. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedMonona County requires a construction permit for new construction, additions, or moving a building onto unincorporated property, with additional flood plain permits required in flood zones. Enforcement is under the county's Chapter 100 ordinance. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedNew septic systems or renovations to the soil-treatment portion require a county permit from Environmental Health/Zoning, possibly including a perc test. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed by the county and fall under state DNR wastewater rules. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance or guidance was found; this inherits the state-level ambiguity in Iowa. Confirm directly with Environmental Health/Zoning before installing a system.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance, permit, or restriction on rainwater catchment was found on official pages. Confirm with the county Environmental Health/Zoning office before relying on catchment as a sole water source.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells are permitted through the county, which also runs a free well-testing program via the Iowa Private Well Program. Drilling and pump work must be done by an IDNR-certified professional, and a construction permit is required even inside city limits. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo ordinance bans disconnecting from public utilities, but an occupied dwelling still must meet the county's standard construction, septic, and well permit requirements. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.0 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,454 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 31 in/yr
Snowfall: 30 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,864 (cold)
Frost-free season: May 1 to Sep 29

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Burgess Health Center: 7.0 mi
Fire station Decatur Fire & Rescue: 0.5 mi
Hardware store Richards Parts & Hardware: 0.5 mi
Grocery Decatur Food Store: 0.5 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 68020).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.