Off-grid site report
Effingham County, IL
38.9531, -88.6237 · 577 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Effingham 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 rulesEffingham County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyEffingham County has no countywide zoning ordinance, per the county's own policy memo, but zoning may apply within incorporated towns and within a one-and-one-half mile radius of them. Confirm with the relevant municipality if your land is near a city or village. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county document was found specifying rules for tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling size in unincorporated areas; Certificate of Occupancy permits aren't required there, but that isn't the same as an explicit dwelling policy. Inside city limits, the City of Effingham's building/zoning office would govern this. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyUnincorporated Effingham County does not require Certificate of Occupancy permits, but the City of Effingham runs its own building permit program for construction, solar, demolition, and utility work within its jurisdiction. Illinois's statewide building code may still apply as a baseline; confirm with the County Board. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Effingham County Health Department issues private sewage disposal permits countywide under the IDPH Private Sewage Disposal Code, requiring a plan review application and 24-hour notice before installation. Owner-occupants may self-install with a permit; otherwise a licensed contractor is required. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Effingham County or state page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; surface-discharging systems may trigger NPDES permitting through IEPA if they reach federal waters. Ask the county Health Department directly before installing a greywater system. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Effingham County or Illinois state page addressing residential rainwater harvesting rules turned up in this research; not confirmed either way.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Effingham County Health Department administers private well permitting countywide under the Illinois Water Well Construction Code, requiring an application, a fee payable to IDPH, and 24-hour notice before construction. IDPH also updated well water testing acceptance criteria in 2025. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance was found explicitly addressing full off-grid utility disconnection. The lack of a Certificate of Occupancy requirement in unincorporated areas suggests little oversight there, but this is inference, not a confirmed rule, and municipal codes may differ near towns.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,363 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 8 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,777 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 15 to Oct 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Saint Anthony's Memorial Hospital - 12.5 mi
- Fire station
Watson Fire Protection District - 5.7 mi
- Hardware store
Just-Rite Cleaning Equipment - 12.5 mi
- Grocery
Farina Market - 11.7 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 62443).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Effingham 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.