Off-grid site report
Calhoun County, AL
33.7307, -86.0772 · 512 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Calhoun County, AL, 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 rulesCalhoun County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo official Calhoun County Commission zoning ordinance was found; Alabama counties generally lack zoning authority unless granted by a local act, so unincorporated land is likely unzoned, but this isn't confirmed by the county directly. Incorporated cities like Anniston zone independently. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-level rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found for unincorporated Calhoun County. Inside city limits (e.g., Anniston), the municipal building department handles dwelling standards. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyAnniston's Building & Safety Department runs a confirmed online permitting system; unincorporated county-level residential building code requirements were not confirmed from an official document. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems statewide, including Calhoun County, are regulated by the Alabama Department of Public Health and permitted through the local county health department acting as ADPH's agent. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedGreywater disposal falls under ADPH's onsite sewage rules and is enforced through the local health department; no separate Calhoun County ordinance was found. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Calhoun County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found, so it appears permitted, but confirm with the county for larger systems.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are regulated statewide by ADEM under the Water Well Standards Act, with a licensed driller handling permitting; no Calhoun-specific well ordinance was found.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state law requires utility hookup, and no confirmed Calhoun County or municipal ordinance mandating it was found, but this wasn't independently verified for every jurisdiction in the county.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.6 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,375 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 50 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 2 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,782 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 28 to Nov 7
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center - 15.5 mi
- Fire station
Alexandria Fire - 11.6 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 14.1 mi
- Grocery
Lion Foods - 10.8 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 36271).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Calhoun County, AL?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.