Off-grid site report
Henderson County, KY
37.8408, -87.5916 · 410 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Henderson County, KY, 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 rulesHenderson County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedHenderson County's Fiscal Court adopted countywide zoning under KRS Chapter 100, dividing the county into districts controlling use, density, height, and coverage; the Henderson City-County Planning Commission administers it. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyManufactured/mobile homes are addressed through a dedicated R-MH district with utility requirements; placement outside that district isn't confirmed as by-right, and RV or tiny home permanent occupancy rules aren't fully spelled out in the ordinance text reviewed. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedHenderson County Codes Department enforces the Kentucky Building Code locally with state-certified inspectors, so permits and inspections are required for new homes here. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Green River District Health Department, which requires a site evaluation for soil suitability before a permit is issued to a certified contractor. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Henderson County-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state's 902 KAR 10:085 framework, administered by the same health department, appears to govern.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rainwater ordinance was found; state default of no permit for non-potable rainwater collection appears to apply, but this isn't locally confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Henderson County well permit or fee requirement was found beyond Kentucky's statewide Certified Water Well Driller standards.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyThe zoning ordinance requires utility hookups for platted mobile home parks, but whether a stand-alone off-grid home on a regular lot can forgo grid electric or water isn't confirmed; ask the Codes Department for a site-specific answer. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,393 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 13 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,285 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 8 to Oct 27
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Deaconess Henderson Hospital - 1.1 mi
- Fire station
Evansville Fire Station # 15 - 8.4 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 2.0 mi
- Grocery
Save-A-Lot - 0.4 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 42420).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Henderson County, KY?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.