Off-grid site report
Fayette County, AL
33.7315, -87.8110 · 397 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Fayette 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 rulesFayette County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyFayette County confirms it has no countywide zoning ordinance; the City of Fayette has its own adopted zoning ordinance that applies only inside city limits.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county or state source specifically addresses tiny homes or RV occupancy; inside the City of Fayette, general zoning and building rules would apply, but no section spelling out standards for these was found. Confirm with the relevant office before settling on a dwelling type.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyFayette County states outright there are no building or permitting requirements outside city/town limits; the City of Fayette requires a building permit, plan approval, and certificate of occupancy for work within the city.
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted statewide under Alabama Department of Public Health onsite sewage rules, with a Permit to Install required before installation, issued through the Fayette County Health Department. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedGreywater is treated under the same ADPH onsite sewage disposal rules as septic statewide; no Fayette County-specific exception was found, so expect it to require the same permitting review as sewage. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county or state rule was found restricting rainwater collection; this follows Alabama's general lack of statewide restriction.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted and governed by Alabama's state Water Well Standards Act through a licensed driller; the Fayette County Health Department also offers private well water testing as a service. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo Fayette County or City of Fayette ordinance was found requiring hookup to water, sewer, or electric utilities, consistent with the state baseline of no mandatory-connection law.
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
- 1,354 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 56 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 0 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,775 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 30 to Nov 7
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Fayette Medical Center - 1.8 mi
- Fire station
Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Department - 5.6 mi
- Hardware store
Lawrence Farm & Lumber - 21.2 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 35555).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Fayette 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.