Bolthole Index

Dallas County, Iowa

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Dallas County, Iowa

58Index Score / 100
#38 of 99 in Iowa

Unincorporated Dallas County, Iowa requires a building permit for buildings and structures, and work cannot begin before the permit is issued1. Dallas County also zones its unincorporated area2. Private septic permits go through Dallas County Environmental Health, which requires an approved soil analysis and design before an installation-permit application34.

At a glance

Building permit
Required in unincorporated Dallas County5
Zoning
Yes, Dallas County regulates its unincorporated area2
Septic permits
Dallas County Environmental Health, a separate office from Planning & Development6
Owner-builder
No contractor registration needed on your own property, but county permits and codes still apply78
Manufactured homes
Must be allowed like a site-built home, on a permanent foundation, same setbacks9
R-2 lot size
12,000 sq ft with common water and sewer; 2 acres without both10
Septic inspection at sale
Required statewide before an ownership transfer can be recorded11
Private wells
Environmental Health administers county well services12

Who to call

Building permits

Dallas County Planning & Development Department

Building, sub-permit (electrical/mechanical/plumbing), pool and solar permits, entrance-permit coordination, and zoning administration for unincorporated Dallas County

515-993-5801

[email protected]

800 Court Street #2200, Adel, IA 50003

Online permits →

Septic permits

Dallas County Environmental Health

Private septic (onsite wastewater) system permits for unincorporated Dallas County

515-993-5803

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Dallas County, Iowa?

Unincorporated Dallas County, Iowa requires a building-permit application for buildings and structures, including pools and ground-mounted solar installations, and construction cannot start until the county issues the permit1. Dallas County administers locally adopted uniform construction codes through Planning & Development13. Iowa does not impose one universal permit requirement on every private building statewide; permit issuance and enforcement follow the applicable local law or ordinance14. A person doing work, or having work done, on the person's own property is excluded from contractor status under Iowa's contractor-registration law, but that exclusion does not waive Dallas County permits, inspections, or code compliance78.

Who is the Dallas County building department, and how do you reach them?

Dallas County's Planning & Development department issues building permits for the unincorporated county15. Reach the office at 515-993-5801 or [email protected], at 800 Court Street #2200, Adel, Iowa15. Building permit fees are assessed based on estimated construction cost, with flat fees of $160 for a pool permit and $80 for any sub-permit such as electrical, mechanical, plumbing or solar15. Once a complete application, site plan, construction plans, any required septic and entrance permits, and paid invoice are on file, review takes up to 10 business days, and work cannot begin until the permit is actually issued15. Regular inspections are required before footings are poured, before the foundation is poured, before any under-slab plumbing is covered, when framing and rough-ins are complete, and before occupancy, and inspection requests must be emailed rather than called in15.

Does Dallas County have zoning?

Dallas County zoning regulates the physical development of the county's unincorporated area, and the ordinance contains district-specific use and bulk rules216. In the R-2 One and Two-Family Residential District, the minimum lot is 12,000 square feet with common water and sewer systems and two acres without them10. The same district requires a front yard of 35 feet from a private-road right-of-way or 50 feet from a public-road right-of-way, and its maximum heights are 35 feet for a principal building and 20 feet for an accessory building1718. Those R-2 figures are not countywide defaults; ask Planning & Development to identify the parcel's district before applying them1615. Iowa county zoning generally does not apply to qualifying agricultural land and farm structures while primarily used for agriculture, except for floodplain-related regulation19.

How do septic permits work in Dallas County?

Dallas County Environmental Health permits private septic systems and enforces state code and county health regulations; call 515-993-5803320. Dallas County requires an approved entity to complete the soil analysis and system design before an installation-permit application is submitted, and installation or repair must be performed by an approved septic contractor43. A building-permit application also needs a septic permit when the project adds bedrooms or occupancy or connects to an existing septic system415. Only about 33.2% of Dallas County soils lack a severe USDA limitation for a conventional septic drain field, reinforcing the need to evaluate the actual site before fixing a house location21. Before most qualifying transfers of homes served by private septic, Iowa requires a certified inspection and generally requires the tank to be opened and pumped; the inspection remains valid for two years11.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Dallas County?

Dallas County's reviewed sources do not establish a general answer for RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, or minimum dwelling size on private land. Ask Planning & Development how the parcel's zoning district, proposed duration, utilities, and building classification affect the proposed use1516. Iowa does bar a county from rejecting a residential structure solely because it is a manufactured home, but the home must use a permanent foundation and meet the standards applied to a site-built home on the same lot, including setbacks and minimum square footage9. Effective in 2026, Iowa also requires a county to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit on a lot in a zoning district where a single-family residence is an allowed principal use, subject to applicable building rules and statutory size limits22. Neither statewide rule answers whether an RV may be occupied as a residence on a particular Dallas County parcel922.

What are the steps to build a home in Dallas County, Iowa?

  1. Confirm the parcel's zoning district and applicable district standards with Planning & Development at 515-993-58011516.
  2. Have an approved entity complete the soil analysis and septic design, then apply through Environmental Health at 515-993-5803420.
  3. Obtain an entrance permit from Secondary Roads before building a new or modified entrance to a county road; use Iowa DOT for an entrance to a state road2324.
  4. Submit the building application, scaled site plan, construction plans, septic permit, applicable entrance permit, and required electrical, mechanical, and plumbing sub-permits15.
  5. Allow up to 10 business days for review after all required items arrive, then pay the invoice before permit issuance15.
  6. Do not begin work until Dallas County issues the building permit1.
  7. Request inspections by email at the required construction stages, including footings, foundation, exposed under-slab plumbing, rough framing and systems, and final inspection before occupancy or use15.

What should you check before buying land in Dallas County?

Start with the zoning district, because lot size, setbacks, height, and permitted uses vary by district16. If a tract will be divided, Dallas County regulates subdivision in its unincorporated area25. For a private well, contact Environmental Health, the county's administrative authority for permitting well services12. For septic feasibility, only about 33.2% of county soils lack a severe USDA limitation for a conventional drain field, so obtain the required site-specific soil analysis and design before committing to a house location214. Dallas County's USDA census farmland value is $10,688 per acre, while the typical home value is about $356,3212627. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $4,8492829. A new or changed entrance onto a county road needs an approved access permit, although Dallas County charges no permit fee23. Before buying an existing home with private septic, account for Iowa's transfer inspection requirement and the obligation to renovate a failing system11.

Watch-outs

  • Iowa requires a private septic system to be inspected, and usually pumped, before an ownership transfer can be recorded — budget for that before you close, not after11.
  • The owner-property exemption from Iowa's contractor-registration law does not waive Dallas County's building permit or inspections; confirm the actual permit process with Planning & Development7.
  • Confirm your parcel's zoning district with Planning & Development before assuming a manufactured home, RV, or accessory dwelling unit is allowed on it; Iowa's statewide manufactured-home and ADU rules set a floor, not the full local answer922.

Sources

  1. Building Permit Application Process, quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  3. Private Septic Information, quoted and re-checked
  4. Private Septic Information, quoted and re-checked
  5. Building Permit Application Process (2026 county census)
  6. Private Septic Information (2026 county census)
  7. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors (2026 county census)
  8. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 91C — Construction Contractors (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Iowa Code §335.30, Manufactured and modular homes (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 45 Zoning Ordinance for the Unincorporated Areas of Dallas County, quoted and re-checked
  11. Iowa Code §455B.172, Jurisdiction of department and local boards (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Private Well Information, quoted and re-checked
  13. Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  14. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 103A — State Building Code (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Dallas County Planning & Development Department (dallascountyiowa.gov)
  16. Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 45 Zoning Ordinance for the Unincorporated Areas of Dallas County, quoted and re-checked
  18. Chapter 45 Zoning Ordinance for the Unincorporated Areas of Dallas County, quoted and re-checked
  19. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 335 — County Zoning (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Dallas County Environmental Health (dallascountyiowa.gov)
  21. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  22. Senate File 2369 — Enrolled (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Maintenance, quoted and re-checked
  24. Access Management (Iowa statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  26. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  27. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Dallas County in Iowa

58
County map
Dallas County highlighted among the Iowa counties · colored by Index score

How Dallas County scores

Seclusion37100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency53100% ev.
Admin Boringness48100% ev.
Durability67100% ev.
Property Autonomy51100% ev.
Carry Cost50100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$356kTypical home
1.5%Property tax
$10,688Land / acre
35.3"Annual rain
11.3% of yrsSevere drought
5.8 / yr (+5.3)Mid-century 100°F days
16.9 daysMid-century dry spell
1.84" (+8.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.74×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,766Home insurance / yr
3.7% / yrInsurance growth
1%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
34,791People within 30 min
1,994,740People within 2 hr
118,879Radius comparison (15 mi)
188.8People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
93.6%Land at 15% slope or less
33.2%Septic soil without severe limits
123,334 acWorkable land screen
12.6%Wooded land
41 tonsBiomass / forest ac
49.4°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Dallas County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Dallas County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and structures in the county building-permit process.

    • Applications are required for any and all buildings or structures, including pools and ground-mounted solar installations.
    • Work cannot begin without an issued permit.
    • Dwelling permits require the listed sub-permits and supporting documents before issuance.
    “Please fill out a building permit application thoroughly for any and all buildings or structures, including pools and ground mounted solar installation, or any other structures not listed.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Dallas County Chapter 47 building codes administered through Planning & Development.

    • The Code of Ordinances page identifies Chapter 47 as Building Codes and states it was amended August 18, 2009.
    “Chapter 47: Uniform Construction Codes Ordinance (PDF)”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning regulation in Dallas County's unincorporated areas.

    • The cited ordinance applies to unincorporated areas of Dallas County.
    “The Zoning Ordinance is one of the documents that allows the Department of Planning and Development to regulate the physical state and physical development of the unincorporated areas of the county.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Dallas County zoning districts in the unincorporated area.

    • Chapter 45 contains district-specific regulations and the county provides a zoning map.
    • District-specific lot area, setbacks, height, and use rules apply.
    “45.13 R-2 One and Two-Family Residential District Regulations”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-2 One and Two-Family Residential District.

    • The minimum lot area is 12,000 square feet where common water and sewer systems are present and two acres where they are absent.

    minimum lot area with common water and sewer: >= 12000 square feet · minimum lot area without common water and sewer: >= 2 acres

    “A. Lot Area: 12,000 square feet when common water and sewer systems are present, and two (2) acres when no common water and sewer systems are present.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-2 One and Two-Family Residential District.

    • Front-yard setbacks are 35 feet from a private road right-of-way and 50 feet from a public roadway right-of-way.
    • Side-yard requirements vary by building height/stories.

    front yard private road right-of-way: >= 35 feet · front yard public roadway right-of-way: >= 50 feet · rear yard: >= 40 feet

    “C. Front Yard: 35 feet from a private road right-of-way; 50 feet from a public roadway right-of-way.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-2 One and Two-Family Residential District.

    • Principal buildings may be up to 35 feet; accessory buildings may be up to 20 feet.
    • The ordinance also limits principal buildings to three stories and accessory buildings to one story.

    principal building maximum height: <= 35 feet · accessory building maximum height: <= 20 feet

    “F. Maximum Height: Principal building--35 feet. Accessory building--20 feet.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private septic systems within Dallas County.

    • Dallas County Environmental Health enforces state code and county health regulations and permits private septic systems.
    • Soil analysis and design by an approved entity are required before an installation permit.
    • Alternative systems require an approved maintenance-provider contract before permitting and for the life of the system.
    • Installation and repair must be performed by an approved septic contractor.
    “The Environmental Health Department is the administrative authority for enforcing state code (PDF) , enforcing county health regulations (PDF) , and permitting private septic systems within Dallas County.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private septic installation and specified building/occupancy changes in Dallas County.

    • Soil analysis and design by an approved entity must precede an installation permit.
    • The building-permit page states septic permits are required when adding bedrooms or occupancy or connecting to an existing septic.
    “Dallas County ordinance requires that a soil analysis and design be done by an approved entity prior to submitting an installation permit.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic inspections before transfer of title.

    • The county page states that septic inspection has been required by state law since July 2009 before transferring title.
    “Time of Transfer : septic inspection required by state law since July 2009 before transferring title”
  • Well permitLimited

    Private well services and geothermal heat-pump wells.

    • Dallas County adopts Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 38 on private water well construction permits.
    • For geothermal heat-pump systems, the contractor or homeowner must apply before construction.
    • The driller must notify the County Sanitarian before burial of geothermal loops.
    • Permit fees are set by the Board of Health and permits are valid for a maximum of one year.

    permit validity: <= 1 year (maximum validity from issuance)

    “The Environmental Health Department is the administrative authority for permitting well services in Dallas County.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land subdivision in the unincorporated area of Dallas County.

    • Chapter 42 is enforced by the Department of Planning and Development.
    • The regulations are minimum requirements for regulation and control of land subdivision.
    “Dallas County has adopted these regulations as minimum requirements for the regulation and control of land subdivision within the unincorporated area of the county.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New entrances to county roads and modifications or improvements to existing entrances.

    • Approved entrance permits must be obtained through Secondary Roads.
    • For state roads, contact the Iowa DOT.
    • The Road Superintendent conducts an on-site review of sight distances and construction standards.
    • There is no charge for the permit.

    permit fee: 0 USD

    “An access permit is required prior to any construction. Although there is no charge for the permit, the Road Superintendent must meet with the applicant on-site to evaluate sight distances and review construction standards.”

Iowa rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A person performing work or having work performed on the person's own property, for purposes of Iowa Code chapter 91C contractor registration.

    • The exemption is from being treated as a contractor for purposes of chapter 91C; it is not stated to waive building permits, building-code compliance, inspections, or certificates of occupancy.
    • The separate annual-earnings threshold is less than $2,000, but the own-property exemption is stated independently.
    • A contractor doing business in Iowa must register under chapter 91C unless an applicable statutory exclusion applies.
    “However, a person who earns less than two thousand dollars annually or who performs work or has work performed on the person’s own property is not a contractor for purposes of this chapter.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Buildings and structures subject to Iowa Code section 103A.10A, including newly constructed state-owned buildings, state-board-of-regents buildings, and certain state-funded buildings.

    • Newly constructed state-owned buildings and structures subject to the state building code are subject to plan review and inspection, excluding renovations and repairs except as provided by statute.
    • Newly constructed buildings owned by the state board of regents are subject to plan review and inspection, excluding renovations and repairs except as provided by statute.
    • State-funded buildings not wholly owned by the state are subject to state plan review and inspection when the governmental subdivision has not adopted the listed codes or does not perform inspections; otherwise they must comply with the local codes and inspections.
    • For ordinary privately owned construction, inspection administration is governed by the applicable local law or ordinance.
    “All newly constructed buildings or structures subject to the state building code, including any addition, but excluding any renovation or repair of such a building or structure, owned by the state or an agency of the state, except as provided in subsection 2, shall be subject to a plan review and inspection by the commissioner or an independent building inspector appointed by the commissioner.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy or use for buildings subject to Iowa's State Building Code and certificates approving specified buildings, facilities, or installations for licensure.

    • A local building department issues certificates of occupancy or use when required by ordinance.
    • When issued for a building constructed under the state building code, the certificate must certify conformity with the code and is in the form prescribed by the governing body of the governmental subdivision.
    • For facilities governed by Iowa Administrative Code chapter 481.280, if a certificate of occupancy is required for use, it will not be issued until the inspection fee is paid.
    • Chapter 481.280.5 applies to a certificate approving a building, facility, or installation for occupancy upon request from an owner or owner's agency when applicable rules are satisfied and all fees are paid.
    • The state sources do not require a certificate of occupancy for every building statewide.

    additional reinspection fee: 125 USD (Applies for each additional reinspection after the initial reinspection when original deficiencies remain uncorrected.)

    “Issue certificates of occupancy or use, permits, licenses, and other documents in connection with the construction of buildings or structures as may be required by ordinance. (1) A certificate of occupancy or use for a building or structure constructed in accordance with the provisions of the state building code shall certify that the building or structure conforms to the requirements of the code. The certificate shall be in the form the governing body of the governmental subdivision prescribes.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Placement and residential occupancy of manufactured homes under county zoning statewide in Iowa

    • A county may not disallow the proposed residential structure solely because it is a manufactured home.
    • The home must be located and installed under the same standards applicable to a site-built single-family dwelling on the same lot, including permanent foundation, setback, and minimum square footage standards.
    • The home must be assessed and taxed as a site-built dwelling.
    • A county may not require an incompatible perimeter foundation system and may not require more than one permanent foundation system.
    • Outside a manufactured home community or mobile home park, requirements may ensure visual compatibility of the permanent foundation system with surrounding residential structures.
    • Recorded restrictive covenants are not abrogated.
    • Counties may regulate transportation, water, sewerage, and other land development; the statute also bars width standards greater than twenty-four feet and certain design standards when federal standards are met.

    maximum mandated width standard: <= 24 feet (if the housing otherwise complies with 42 U.S.C. §5403)

    “A county shall not adopt or enforce zoning regulations or other ordinances which disallow the plans and specifications of a proposed residential structure solely because the proposed structure is a manufactured home. However, a zoning ordinance or regulation shall require that a manufactured home be located and installed according to the same standards, including but not limited to a permanent foundation system, set-back, and minimum square footage, which would apply to a site-built, single family dwelling on the same lot, and shall require that the home is assessed and taxed as a site-built dwelling.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    City regulation of accessory dwelling units statewide in Iowa, within a zoning district where a single-family residence is an allowed principal use

    • At least one accessory dwelling unit must be allowed on the same lot as a single-family residence.
    • The accessory dwelling unit must comply with applicable building regulations under chapter 103A.
    • The unit may not exceed 1,000 square feet or 50 percent of the size of the single-family residence, whichever is larger; unfinished basements are excluded from the size calculation.
    • Historic-building-code restrictions, deed restrictions, and common-interest-community rules may limit or prohibit construction or use.
    • A manufactured or mobile home used as the accessory dwelling unit must be converted to real property by placement on a permanent foundation and assessed for real-estate taxes under section 435.26.
    • A historic-preservation area may regulate the unit to the extent the city or commission determines it incongruous and records its reasons.
    • Effective July 1, 2026.

    maximum accessory dwelling unit size: 1,000 square feet or 50% of the single-family residence, whichever is larger (unfinished basements excluded from the size calculation)

    “A city shall allow a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a single family residence within a zoning district where a single family residence is an allowed principal use, in accordance with the following conditions:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — County regulation of accessory dwelling units statewide in Iowa, within a zoning district where a single-family residence is an allowed principal use
      “A county shall allow a minimum of one accessory dwelling unit on the same lot as a single family residence within a zoning district where a single family residence is an allowed principal use, in accordance with the following conditions:”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Fees imposed and collected by Iowa state agencies, including any state-agency permit fees listed on the Iowa Government Fees Website.

    • The website does not include fees for universities or community colleges, open record requests, or costs for purchase of a product or good.
    • This claim does not establish local county or municipal permit-fee schedules.
    “Fees Imposed & Collected by State Agencies”
  • Permit processPartial

    Requests for access connections, driveways, or entrances to Iowa primary highways administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation.

    • The permitting process is administered by Iowa DOT district offices.
    • The permit application must be approved before work may begin.
    • The approval process may include internal Iowa DOT review by different offices.
    • The applicant may be asked for more information.
    • A traffic impact analysis is required for all Type A and Type B access permits.
    “In Iowa, the permitting process is administered by the Iowa DOT's district offices.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Iowa counties may adopt zoning ordinances for land and structures within the county but outside the corporate limits of any city.

    • Chapter 335 applies to any Iowa county at the option of its board of supervisors.
    • The zoning power is subject to Iowa Code section 335.2: ordinances generally do not apply to agricultural land, farm houses, farm barns, farm outbuildings, or other structures primarily adapted for agricultural purposes while so used, except that ordinances may apply to structures, buildings, dams, obstructions, deposits, or excavations in or on river or stream floodplains.
    • A county may not require an application, approval, or fee for an ordinance to be deemed inapplicable to qualifying agricultural land or structures.
    • A county may not regulate, restrict, or prohibit the location of permanent buildings or temporary structures used for consumer-fireworks sales pursuant to section 10A.519 in locations zoned commercial or industrial.
    • The board of supervisors may divide the county into zoning districts, and regulations may differ among districts.
    • Regulations and restrictions require public-hearing and notice procedures under sections 335.6 and 331.305; district boundaries must identify the affected township and section and, if possible, streets or roads.
    • Energy-conservation and solar-access objectives do not require zoning in a county that did not have zoning before July 1, 1981.
    “applicable to any county [...] at the option of the board of supervisors [...] outside of the corporate limits of any city.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy.
5 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Dallas County, Iowa

Is Dallas County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Dallas County scores 58/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: about 34,791 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Dallas County, Iowa?

Dallas County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Dallas County Environmental Health Department (Dallas County Board of Health, under Iowa DNR). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Dallas County, Iowa?

Land in Dallas County runs about $10,688 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Dallas County?

Dallas County gets about 35.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 11.3% of years.

How remote is Dallas County?

A representative private-land location has about 34,791 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,994,740 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Dallas County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Dallas compares in Iowa

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