Off-grid site report
Palo Pinto County, TX
32.8140, -98.0835 · 906 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Palo Pinto County, TX, 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 rulesPalo Pinto County, TX
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedPalo Pinto County has no countywide zoning, which is typical for Texas counties since state law doesn't grant general zoning power over unincorporated land. The county does enforce Subdivision Regulations for new subdivisions (plats, lot size, roads) through the County Engineer, Clerk, and Judge, but that's separate from zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Palo Pinto County ordinance was found specifying minimum dwelling size, tiny-home standards, or RV occupancy rules. Ask the county Public Works Department directly before finalizing plans.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyPermits appear required for at least some construction, administered through the county's Public Works Department, but the specific adopted building code wasn't confirmed on an official county page. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems (OSSFs) are governed by state law, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285, administered by TCEQ or a local authorized agent. Tracts of 10+ acres meeting specific siting and single-family criteria may qualify for a permitting exemption under the state's '10-acre rule,' but whether Palo Pinto County itself issues these permits versus deferring to TCEQ's regional office isn't confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county or state rule on greywater separate from septic regulation was found; it appears to be folded into the same 30 TAC 285 state septic rules, with no confirmed county variance.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Palo Pinto County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found, and Texas encourages it at the state level through the Water Development Board.
Private wells & water rights
Unclear - verifyPalo Pinto County may lie outside any Groundwater Conservation District, which would mean the state's rule of capture applies with no local pumping permit, though state well-construction licensing still applies. This was not confirmed against an official Texas Water Development Board GCD map in this research, so verify directly. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo state law or Palo Pinto County ordinance was found requiring off-grid residents on unincorporated land to connect to electric, water, or sewer utilities. Any such requirement would more likely apply only inside an incorporated city like Mineral Wells.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 4.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,549 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 32 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 2,492 (mild)
- Frost-free season
- Mar 23 to Nov 11
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Palo Pinto General Hospital - 3.7 mi
- Fire station
Mineral Wells Fire Station 2 - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 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 76067).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Palo Pinto County, TX?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 21, 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.