Off-grid site report

New Madrid County, MO

36.8597, -89.5877 · 328 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for New Madrid 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 rulesNew Madrid County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyNo countywide zoning exists in unincorporated New Madrid County; incorporated cities like New Madrid have their own zoning chapter with setback and lot rules. Which applies depends entirely on whether the parcel is inside or outside a city. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo countywide rule on tiny homes, minimum size, or RV residency was found; this appears to be handled city by city rather than countywide. Check with the city clerk if the land is within city limits, or the County Commission if not. source

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo confirmed countywide building code; state law (RSMo 137.177) allows some counties to require permits outside city limits above a cost threshold, but it's not confirmed whether New Madrid County has adopted this. Cities such as New Madrid have adopted their own technical building codes. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedMissouri DHSS sets statewide minimum standards for onsite wastewater systems and generally requires a construction permit before building or repairing one, especially on residential lots under three acres. The exact local permitting authority for New Madrid County (health department vs. another agency) is not confirmed; call the County Health Department to verify. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo New Madrid County or state rule specifically addressing residential greywater reuse was found. This is an unresolved gap; ask the County Health Department directly for local policy.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, so the general state-level allowance for landowners applies here.

Private wells & water rights

RestrictedPrivate wells are governed by Missouri DNR's statewide Well Construction Rules; no additional county-level well ordinance was confirmed for New Madrid County.

Living disconnected from utilities

Generally allowedNo New Madrid County ordinance requiring connection to public water, sewer, or electric utilities was found, so living off those systems appears allowed under the state baseline, subject to the well and septic rules above.

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): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,401 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 49 in/yr
Snowfall: 3 in/yr
Heating degree days: 3,888 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Mar 26 to Nov 6

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Missouri Delta Medical Center: 2.1 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Lowe's: 0.4 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 0.2 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 63801).

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.