Off-grid site report
Cumberland County, KY
36.7795, -85.4519 · 640 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Cumberland 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 rulesCumberland County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo official Cumberland County zoning ordinance or planning department page was found. Kentucky county zoning is optional under state law (KRS Chapter 100); if Cumberland County hasn't adopted it, the Fiscal Court is the default land-use authority. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rule on tiny homes, THOWs, or RVs was found. State residential code applies, but county enforcement depends on local opt-in under KRS 198B.060, not confirmed for Cumberland County.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo official Cumberland County building/codes department page was located. State Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction handles code administration statewide, but local permitting authority in the county is not confirmed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Lake Cumberland District Health Department administers on-site sewage/septic permits for Cumberland County under state regulation 902 KAR Chapter 10, requiring a site evaluation and a certified installer for the final permit. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo county-specific greywater rule was found; this inherits the Kentucky state baseline under 902 KAR 10:085, which regulates greywater separately from septic.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county restriction was found on rainwater harvesting for non-potable use; this follows the Kentucky state baseline.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo county-specific well permitting rule beyond Kentucky's standard certified-driller requirement was found. The Cumberland County Water District confirms it does not serve the entire county, which matters for well decisions.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state statute or Cumberland County ordinance was found requiring grid power or municipal water/sewer hookup, but without a confirmed county zoning or building code, local practice isn't fully ruled out.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,337 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 53 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,193 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Cumberland County Hospital - 4.5 mi
- Fire station
Burkesville Fire Department - 4.6 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 4.4 mi
- Grocery
BURKESVILLE FARMERS MARKET - 4.5 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 42717).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Cumberland 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.