Off-grid site report
Dakota County, MN
44.7411, -93.2252 · 988 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Dakota County, MN, 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 rulesDakota County, MN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyDakota County has no single countywide zoning code; the county's own authority covers mostly shoreland/floodplain and unincorporated townships, while each of the 20 cities sets its own zoning. A county Zoning Board of Adjustment hears variances/appeals for township shoreland and floodplain matters. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Dakota County ordinance was found setting tiny-home minimum size or permanent-RV-dwelling rules; this is set locally by city or township. Online claims about a specific square footage minimum are not confirmed against an official source.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Minnesota State Building Code is mandatory here as part of the seven-county metro. Dakota County Ordinance 50 requires permits for construction near shoreland/floodplain, and townships/cities handle permits elsewhere; call the county Water Resources Department to check jurisdiction. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems, including composting toilet setups, are permitted under Dakota County Ordinance 113 and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080, with some county provisions stricter than state minimums. Holding tanks are approved only when no other system is feasible. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone Dakota County greywater ordinance exists; greywater is addressed only within the SSTS (septic) permitting framework under Ordinance 113. Ask county Environmental Resources about any non-septic-connected system. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Dakota County-specific rainwater harvesting ordinance was found; state plumbing code likely governs indoor plumbed catchment systems. Confirm with the county building permits office.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells are permitted under Dakota County Ordinance 114, administered by Environmental Resources, with well construction/sealing permits required and MDH-certified testing plus a Well Disclosure Certificate required at property transfer per state statute. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Dakota County ordinance was found requiring or barring full utility disconnection; this is a city or township zoning question where municipal sewer/water may be required if available.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,369 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 35 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 40 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 8,061 (severe)
- Frost-free season
- May 1 to Oct 3
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
M Health West Bank Emergency Department - 15.7 mi
- Fire station
Lakeville Station #3 - 4.2 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 4.2 mi
- Grocery
Target - 1.0 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 55124).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
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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.