How many U.S. counties have no zoning?

1042 of America's 3,143 counties (33%) have no county-wide zoning, based on each county's own official sources (checked 2026-10-15).

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 (246), Arkansas (54), Missouri (54), Pennsylvania (54), Alabama (53).

Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-10-15

U.S. Counties With No County-Wide Zoning

1042 of America's 3,143 counties — 33% 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.

1042 counties across 42 states — open a state for its full cited list

Texas246 of 254 Arkansas54 of 75 Missouri54 of 115 Pennsylvania54 of 67 Alabama53 of 67 Kentucky52 of 120 Oklahoma49 of 77 West Virginia41 of 55 Ohio39 of 88 Kansas36 of 105 New York31 of 62 Michigan29 of 83 Mississippi28 of 82 Tennessee27 of 95 Georgia26 of 159 Illinois23 of 102 Montana22 of 56 North Carolina20 of 100 Louisiana16 of 64 Iowa15 of 99 Alaska13 of 30 South Dakota12 of 66 Maine10 of 16 Nebraska9 of 93 New Mexico9 of 33 Vermont9 of 14 Wyoming9 of 23 New Jersey8 of 21 Virginia8 of 133 Indiana6 of 92 New Hampshire5 of 10 North Dakota5 of 53 South Carolina5 of 46 Wisconsin5 of 72 Minnesota4 of 87 Colorado3 of 64 Rhode Island2 of 5 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.