Off-grid site report
Calhoun County, IL
39.1567, -90.6179 · 436 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Calhoun County, IL, 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 rulesCalhoun County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyCalhoun County has its own Zoning Ordinance administered by the Building Inspector; acreage minimums and setbacks vary by zoning district and require a parcel-specific check with the county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance text on tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, or RV residency was found; ask the Building Inspector directly.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe county issues building permits through its Building Inspector referencing the zoning ordinance; a new Illinois statewide building code baseline (Public Act 103-0510) took effect January 1, 2025, and how the county has adapted is not confirmed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are regulated statewide by the Illinois Department of Public Health, typically administered locally through a county or local health department acting as IDPH's agent; Calhoun County's own septic page was not found, so local specifics are not confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Calhoun County or Illinois state page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse separate from septic discharge; not confirmed, ask the county health authority.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county or state source was found specifically authorizing or restricting rainwater harvesting; not confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are regulated statewide under Illinois's Water Well Construction Code (IDPH), generally requiring a licensed contractor and local health department permit; Calhoun County's own well permitting page was not found to confirm local process. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Calhoun County ordinance was found explicitly prohibiting disconnection from grid electricity or municipal water/sewer, but approved septic and well systems are still required regardless.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,418 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 41 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 17 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,814 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 18 to Oct 17
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Thomas H. Boyd Memorial Hospital - 14.6 mi
- Fire station
Elsberry Fire Protection District Station 1 - 9.0 mi
- Hardware store
River City Hardware - 13.2 mi
- Grocery
Friedel's Grocery - 8.8 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 62047).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Calhoun County, IL?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.