Off-grid site report

Putnam County, MO

40.4815, -93.0122 · 1,056 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Putnam 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 rulesPutnam County, MO

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyI couldn't find an official Putnam County, MO Planning & Zoning department or adopted zoning ordinance listed on the county's government page, which suggests the county may lack countywide zoning, but that's not officially confirmed. Best bet is to call the Putnam County Commission directly to ask.
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyWith no county building or zoning department showing up in official listings, I have no confirmed county-level rule on minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or living in an RV in unincorporated Putnam County. If you're inside Unionville's town limits, check the city directly since municipal rules would apply there instead.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyMissouri has no statewide building code, and I couldn't locate a Putnam County building department or permit ordinance on any official site, so I can't confirm what, if any, permitting applies to construction in the unincorporated county. Call the County Commission to ask who (if anyone) handles this. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedSeptic systems (OWTS) fall under Missouri DHSS's statewide minimum standards, with the Putnam County Health Department carrying out local inspections and permitting under contract with the state. Composting toilets aren't addressed separately in anything I found, so don't assume one gets you out of the septic permit requirement without checking with PCHD first. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyI found no Putnam County or Missouri DHSS/DNR rule specifically addressing greywater reuse. This is genuinely unsettled from what I could find, so I'd call the Putnam County Health Department's Environmental Health Division before setting up a greywater system. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedI didn't find any Putnam County ordinance restricting rainwater collection, and Missouri generally treats this as a landowner's right. I don't have a specific state statute citation to point you to, so this is based on the absence of any restriction turning up in research rather than an affirmative state law link.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedPrivate wells in Putnam County fall under Missouri's statewide well construction rules administered by the Department of Natural Resources, and I found no additional county-specific well ordinance. The Putnam County Health Department can help with water testing and basic system inspections, and also keeps GIS records of private wells and septic systems. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedI found no Putnam County ordinance requiring a hookup to public utilities, so living off private well, septic, and off-grid power appears to be allowed under the Missouri state baseline, subject to meeting DNR and DHSS construction standards for those systems. Confirm specifics with the County Commission since no dedicated planning department exists to ask.

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)
3.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,404 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
41 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,093 (cold)
Frost-free season
Apr 19 to Oct 16

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Putnam County Memorial Hospital
0.3 mi
Fire station
Southern Appaoose County First Responders
14.6 mi
Hardware store
Builders Hardware
19.8 mi
Grocery
Walmart Supercenter
17.5 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 63565).

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.