Off-grid site report

Union County, IA

41.1264, -94.0538 · 1,240 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Union County, IA, 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 rulesUnion County, IA

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo Planning & Zoning department or zoning ordinance was found on Union County's official site. Iowa Code Chapter 335 makes county zoning optional, so Union County may not have one; confirm with the Board of Supervisors/Auditor. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county rule on tiny homes or RVs was found. Iowa allows boards of adjustment to grant exceptions to zoning ordinances, but that presumes zoning exists, which isn't confirmed for Union County.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo county building department or adopted code was found on the official site. Iowa's Chapter 103A doesn't require code adoption by smaller counties, so Union County may not require permits outside towns; confirm directly with the courthouse. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedUnion County Environmental Health issues septic permits and enforces installation under Iowa Administrative Code 567, Chapter 69, per the county's own septic permit form. Systems must remain open for inspection and the office requires advance notice before final sign-off. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Union County-specific greywater policy was found, and state rules don't clearly separate greywater from general onsite wastewater systems. Ask Union County Environmental Health directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county or Iowa DNR rule was found explicitly permitting or restricting residential rainwater catchment.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedUnion County Environmental Health issues Well Construction permits, and coordinates well and septic review through the same office. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo ordinance bans off-grid or utility-disconnected living in Union County, but occupied dwellings still must meet Environmental Health septic and well permitting regardless of grid connection. source

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): 3.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,428 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 35 in/yr
Snowfall: 29 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,709 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 26 to Oct 2

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Madison County Memorial Hospital: 14.1 mi
Fire station Murray Fire Department: 8.0 mi
Hardware store Osceola Farm & Home: 14.8 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 15.0 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 50149).

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.