How many U.S. counties have no zoning?

998 of America's 3,143 counties (32%) have no county-wide zoning, based on each county's own official sources (checked 2026-10-03).

What does "no zoning" actually mean?

The county has not adopted county-wide use districts — it does not dictate what your land may be used for. Subdivision rules, septic permits, floodplain rules, and state law can still apply, and cities inside the county zone their own land. Verify with the county before acting.

Which states have the most counties without zoning?

Texas (248), Pennsylvania (55), Alabama (53), Arkansas (53), Missouri (52).

Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-10-03

U.S. Counties With No County-Wide Zoning

998 of America's 3,143 counties — 32% of the country — have no county-wide zoning: no use districts telling you what your land may be used for. We checked every county's own official sources to build this list; each entry links to the county's page saying so.

Method: our scout checked official county sources (county websites, codes, planning departments) for all 3,143 counties, and the research fleet has since re-checked many with verbatim quotations. Each state page cites every county’s own page. Rules change — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice.

998 counties across 41 states — open a state for its full cited list

Texas248 of 254 Pennsylvania55 of 67 Alabama53 of 67 Arkansas53 of 75 Missouri52 of 115 Oklahoma50 of 77 Kentucky46 of 120 West Virginia39 of 55 Kansas36 of 105 Ohio33 of 88 New York30 of 62 Tennessee28 of 95 Mississippi27 of 82 Georgia25 of 159 Illinois23 of 102 Montana22 of 56 Michigan20 of 83 North Carolina20 of 100 Alaska13 of 30 Iowa13 of 99 Louisiana11 of 64 South Dakota11 of 66 Maine10 of 16 Vermont9 of 14 Wyoming9 of 23 New Mexico8 of 33 Nebraska7 of 93 New Jersey7 of 21 Virginia7 of 133 Indiana5 of 92 North Dakota5 of 53 Wisconsin5 of 72 New Hampshire4 of 10 Colorado3 of 64 Minnesota3 of 87 South Carolina3 of 46 Florida1 of 67 Maryland1 of 24 Massachusetts1 of 14 Nevada1 of 17 Washington1 of 39

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.