Off-grid site report
Jefferson County, FL
30.5710, -83.8690 · 177 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jefferson County, FL, 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 rulesJefferson County, FL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedUnincorporated Jefferson County has a single countywide Land Development Code administered by the Planning Department, sorting uses into permitted, prohibited, or special-exception categories by district; the City of Monticello layers its own comprehensive plan on top within city limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county's Permitted Land Uses list includes single-family, accessory, multi-family, and manufactured/modular housing as residential uses but specifically excludes RVs, which are generally confined to licensed campgrounds or platted RV parks. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Jefferson County Building Department requires standard permits and inspections under the Florida Building Code, with complete applications required at submission and inspections requested only by phone. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted but as of January 2, 2025 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), not the county Health Department, administers onsite sewage permitting in Jefferson County under the statewide 64E-6 framework; composting toilets aren't separately addressed locally. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Jefferson County ordinance or Health Department/DEP page on residential greywater reuse was found; this defaults to the statewide Florida Building Code baseline, so confirm specifics with the county Building Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rainwater catchment ordinance was found; non-potable catchment is broadly tolerated under the state baseline, but potable use isn't addressed locally, so ask the Building Department directly.
Private wells & water rights
Unclear - verifyNo Jefferson County-specific well permitting page was found; well construction is expected to run through the relevant Water Management District and/or DEP under the statewide Chapter 62-532, F.A.C. baseline, so confirm with the county Health or Building Department.
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedNo explicit county ban on disconnecting from utilities was found, but the LDC ties potable water to drinking-water standards and any occupied dwelling still needs a building permit and approved sewage disposal, so full off-grid living is indirectly constrained by those permitting requirements. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.4 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,461 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 57 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 1,717 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 11 to Nov 18
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Archbold Memorial Hospital - 18.6 mi
- Fire station
Miccosukee Volunteer Fire Station #11A - 10.1 mi
- Hardware store
True Value - 2.7 mi
- Grocery
Jefferson Farmers Market - 1.8 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 32345).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Jefferson County, FL?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 21, 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.