Off-grid site report

Clay County, AR

36.4543, -90.1414 · 302 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Clay County, AR, 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 rulesClay County, AR

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedClay County has adopted a countywide Zoning Ordinance administered by a Planning Commission, unlike many rural Arkansas counties with no zoning at all. Cities within the county, like Rector, have their own separate zoning that governs land inside city limits. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Clay County text specifically addresses tiny homes or RV residency; this likely falls under general zoning use/district rules or separate municipal ordinances. Not confirmed, so check with the county Planning Commission or the relevant city. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedClay County requires building permits, tracked through the County Judge's office via an online permit-search portal, with standard conditions like permits lapsing after prolonged inactivity. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are regulated statewide by the Arkansas Department of Health and administered locally by Clay County Environmental Health; a narrow exemption from the permit (not the standard) exists for a single residence on ten or more acres set well back from property lines. source

Greywater reuse

RestrictedNo Clay County-specific greywater ordinance was found; greywater appears to be channeled through the same ADH-approved septic system rather than allowed for informal reuse or discharge. source

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Clay County ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting was found, which follows the state's general lack of specific regulation on outdoor collection.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedClay County Environmental Health issues well permits and offers well testing, rehabilitation, and assessment help, consistent with statewide ADH well-construction standards; private wells are not prohibited even where public water service exists.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo official Clay County or state source was found requiring connection to electric or municipal water/sewer for a private residence; the main indirect constraint is that sewage disposal must still meet ADH septic permitting.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,448 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 45 in/yr
Snowfall: 2 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,009 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Mar 31 to Nov 1

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Piggott Community Hospital: 5.7 mi
Fire station Saint Francis Volunteer Fire Department: 0.2 mi
Hardware store Baker Farm And Hardware Inc: 14.9 mi
Grocery Harps Food: 15.7 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 72464).

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.