Yes, but water will be the challenge. Wells run deep, near 590 feet, so budget $22,000 to $48,000 for one. The growing season runs about 203 frost-free days. The ground is steep, with slopes averaging about 20%. That raises the cost of a driveway, septic, and foundation.
What the land says
Rain
Rain can supply much of a household's water with a large tank. A garden mostly waters itself in normal years.
About 46 inches a year (PRISM, 1991 to 2020 average)
Wells
Deep wells. Get a driller's quote before you offer.
The typical well here is about 590 feet deep; a well typically runs $22,000 to $48,000
Growing season
A full season for most vegetables.
About 203 frost-free days, USDA zone 7a; last frost about April 8, first about October 29
Sun
Good sun. Size the array and battery bank for winter.
About 5.0 hours of full sun a day, averaged over the year
Flood
Flood zones run along creeks and rivers here. Look up the parcel on FEMA's flood map.
FEMA maps flood zones within a quarter mile in parts of the county
Wildfire
Low wildfire risk.
U.S. Forest Service wildfire hazard map: Very Low to Low here
Storms
Hurricanes and strong tornadoes are rare here.
NOAA: no hurricane-strength storm within 50 miles since 1975; about 1 strong (EF2 or stronger) tornado a decade within 25 miles
Terrain
Steep in places. Driveways, septic, and foundations cost more.
Slopes average about 20%, about 950 feet above sea level
Soil
Expect a costlier septic system, because rock or a hard layer sits about 17 inches down. The county's soil test decides.
Silt loam, somewhat excessively drained (USDA soil survey). A mound, sand filter, or treatment unit typically runs $10,000 to $20,000
Road
Paved roads are close by.
Nearest paved road usually within about 0.3 miles (OpenStreetMap)
Check a Missouri parcel, or plan the one you own
Get a free 0-100 off-grid score.
A step-by-step build plan, sizing your solar, water, garden, septic, heat, and buildings.
Is it legal here?
Zoning
Rural land here is often unzoned. Confirm with the county before you build.
Building code
No statewide building code. Counties and municipalities adopt their own or none.
Rainwater
Collecting it is allowed.
Composting toilets
Allowed.
Water rights
Owners of land along a creek or lake can make reasonable use of its water.
Drilled to about 590 feet, with pump and pressure tank
Septic
$10,000 to $20,000
Mound, sand filter, or treatment unit
Solar and batteries
$18,000 to $34,000
Sized for a modest household
Road or driveway
$3,000 to $8,000
From the nearest road to a house site
Clearing
$1,000 to $4,000
A house site, solar, and garden
Total
$54,000 to $114,000
Before the house
Before you make an offer on land here
Well cost
Get a driller's quote.
Wells here run near 590 feet, so the well is a large cost.
Soil test
Get a soil test before you count on septic.
Rock or a hard layer sits about 17 inches down, which can rule out a standard system.
Flood map
Look up the parcel on FEMA's flood map.
Flood zones run along creeks and rivers here. Building in one means flood insurance and extra permits.
Nearby counties
56,775 people live in Taney County, about 89.8 per square mile. It ranks tied for 103rd of the 114 Missouri counties we scored, and Missouri ranks 12th of 50 states.