Off-grid site report
Delaware County, IA
42.4753, -91.3454 · 1,086 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Delaware 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 rulesDelaware County, IA
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyDelaware County has a countywide zoning ordinance (Ordinance Number 46) administered by the Zoning Department under Iowa Code Chapter 335, covering setbacks and land use with no special off-grid category. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Delaware County ordinance specifically addressing tiny homes or RVs as permanent dwellings was found; the state's Iowa Code 335.30 limits extra burdens on HUD-code manufactured homes on ag land, but you should confirm specifics with the Zoning Administrator. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county states plainly it does not perform building code inspections and issues only zoning permits concerned with setbacks and land use; confirm with the Zoning Administrator whether any town within the county has its own adopted building code. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe county's Water and Sanitation Department permits and inspects septic systems under adopted Iowa DNR Chapter 69 rules (567 IAC Chapter 69), which also cover composting and other alternative toilets. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or state DNR rule specifically on greywater reuse was found; ask the Water and Sanitation Department whether it falls under septic permitting.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Delaware County or Iowa DNR rule explicitly permitting, restricting, or prohibiting rainwater catchment was located; not confirmed, ask Water and Sanitation directly.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe county's Water and Sanitation Department handles private well permitting and testing, consistent with Iowa's statewide framework for county-level well oversight. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo explicit county prohibition on disconnecting from utilities was found, but any dwelling still must clear zoning permitting and DNR-standard septic/well permitting regardless of grid status. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,379 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 37 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 32 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 7,452 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- May 2 to Sep 30
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Regional Medical Center - 6.2 mi
- Fire station
Delhi Volunteer Fire Department - 3.2 mi
- Hardware store
Delhi Lumber - 3.2 mi
- Grocery
Fareway - 5.7 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 52036).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Delaware County, IA?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.