Off-grid site report
Daviess County, IN
38.6592, -87.1728Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Daviess County, IN, not legal advice and not a guarantee. Rules change, and the deciding facts on any specific parcel (setbacks, perc results, overlay districts, deed restrictions, road frontage) live at the county or town office, not in any database. Before you buy land or build, confirm the current rules directly with the local zoning and health offices - the sources on this page tell you exactly who to call.
The local rulesDaviess County, IN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedDaviess County has countywide zoning administered by the Advisory Plan Commission, with a Board of Zoning Appeals for variances; this is a county-level rule, not a state default. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe county zoning ordinance defines 'Dwelling Unit' broadly and allows mobile homes only if wheels/axle are removed; tiny-home and RV-as-residence rules are not confirmed, so ask the Plan Director's office.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedBuilding permits are required and administered by the county Building & Compliance Department, except within City of Washington limits and its fringe, where the City Building Commission handles it. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted but require a county-specific permit under Daviess County's own septic ordinance, administered by the Health Department's Environmental Health Services, on top of the state onsite sewage rule. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; it likely falls under the same septic oversight as other wastewater, but this is not confirmed. Ask the Health Department directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Daviess County ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting was found, so it appears to inherit the general state baseline of no prohibition, but this is not officially confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting private wells was found; well construction is governed by the state DNR/licensed-driller framework, with Daviess County Rural Water available as a piped alternative.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo countywide ordinance mandating connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities was found, but dwelling and septic permitting requirements could functionally require an approved sewage system; confirm with Building & Compliance and the Health Department.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,341 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 48 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 9 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,506 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 12 to Oct 25
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Daviess Community Hospital - 0.7 mi
- Fire station
Vincennes Township Fire Department Station 7 - 18.0 mi
- Hardware store
Petersburg Hardware - 13.0 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 2.0 mi
From OpenStreetMap. Road miles will be longer, often much longer in hill country.
Plan this spot
These open with this location's real numbers already filled in (ZIP 47501).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
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Sources: US Census Bureau geocoder; NLR PVWatts v8 (solar); NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 climate normals (nearest station) or Open-Meteo (ZIP-centroid) for weather; Open-Elevation; OpenStreetMap contributors. Public data retrieved Aug 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.