Off-grid site report

Madison County, MO

37.5717, -90.2651 · 787 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Madison County, MO, 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 rulesMadison County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyMadison County has no countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated areas, so raw-land occupancy there isn't governed by county zoning districts; inside Fredericktown, the town's own Zoning Regulations (Chapter 405) apply. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyOutside town limits, dwelling type (tiny home, RV, etc.) isn't addressed by zoning, but a county ordinance referenced by the Health Department limits tracts to two dwellings; inside Fredericktown the municipal code governs dwelling standards.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyThe county's Planning and Inspections office issues building permits but requires septic approval first; no standalone countywide building code was confirmed. Fredericktown has adopted its own building code (Chapter 500). source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic systems in Madison County are permitted directly through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, with complaints handled by the Madison County Health Department; permits are required even for a second dwelling on large acreage. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Madison County or Missouri DHSS/DNR rule specifically addressing greywater reuse was found; ask the county Health Department directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Madison County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, so the general Missouri baseline allowing it appears to apply.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedWell construction statewide, including in Madison County, is regulated and licensed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources; no separate county permitting layer was confirmed. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo county ordinance prohibits living off public utilities, but a building permit won't be issued until an approved septic system is in place.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,332 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 46 in/yr
Snowfall: 12 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,853 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 21 to Oct 11

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Madison Medical Center: 2.3 mi
Fire station Doe Run Fire: 17.4 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 17.6 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 3.1 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 63645).

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.