Can you really build anything you want in these counties?

At the county level there is no building permit and no use districts — the county does not review what you build or what your land is used for. But state septic and electrical rules, floodplain regulations, and subdivision covenants can still apply, and cities inside the county set their own rules. Always confirm with the county before you buy or build; each state page below cites every county source.

Which states have the most counties with neither building codes nor zoning?

Texas (214), Arkansas (52), Missouri (52), Alabama (49), Oklahoma (46).

Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-08-08

U.S. Counties With No Building Codes and No Zoning

Q: How many U.S. counties have neither building codes nor zoning?

623 of America's 3,143 counties (20%) require no residential building permit AND have no county-wide zoning in their unincorporated areas, based on each county's own official sources (checked 2026-08-08).

623 of America's 3,143 counties — 20% of the country — require no residential building permit and have no county-wide zoning in their unincorporated areas. These are the places where what you build on your own land is, at the county level, entirely up to you. No national agency tracks either rule, so we checked every county's own official sources; each entry cites the county's website. State septic, electrical, and floodplain rules can still apply.

Method: our scout checked official county sources (county websites, codes, planning departments) for all 3,143 counties. Each state page cites every county’s own page. Rules change — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. See also: Counties With No Building Permit Requirement → See also: Counties With No County-Wide Zoning →

623 counties across 24 states — open a state for its full cited list

Texas214 of 254 Arkansas52 of 75 Missouri52 of 115 Alabama49 of 67 Oklahoma46 of 77 Kansas37 of 105 West Virginia21 of 55 Illinois19 of 102 Montana19 of 56 Kentucky17 of 120 Ohio17 of 88 Alaska14 of 30 Iowa13 of 99 Tennessee11 of 95 South Dakota8 of 66 Wyoming7 of 23 Nebraska6 of 93 Vermont6 of 14 Indiana5 of 92 North Dakota4 of 53 Georgia3 of 159 Colorado1 of 64 Idaho1 of 44 Nevada1 of 17

Top 50 by Index Score

Keep exploring

Every county here has a full profile — water, land prices, hazard safety, seclusion, and the rest of its building rules. Start from the best states to live off-grid, the cheapest states for off-grid land, or search your own spot.

General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.