Off-grid site report

Robertson County, TN

36.4625, -86.6814 · 883 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Robertson County, TN, 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 rulesRobertson County, TN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedRobertson County has adopted a countywide Zoning Resolution administered by the Planning Department, with districts like AG-2 and various residential classes; raw land use is subject to setbacks and district rules, with variances through the Board of Zoning Appeals. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific tiny-home-on-wheels or Appendix Q provision was found; conventional dwelling documentation is expected in the building permit process, and RV/modular placement falls under the county's Private Act. Confirm with the Planning Department. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedRobertson County has its own Private Act (Private Acts of 1979, Chapter 66) requiring a building permit from the county Building Commissioner for construction, alterations, and mobile/modular home placement, unless inside a city with its own permitting. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedA septic permit or sewer tap receipt is required before the county issues a building permit; this appears to route through the state's TDEC septic program based on the referenced portal and phone line. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Robertson County-specific greywater ordinance was found; likely inherits the general state plumbing code approach, but enforcement clarity is inconsistent so confirm with the county building or septic office.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county restriction on rainwater collection was found; this follows the generally permissive Tennessee state baseline.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells are common in unincorporated parts of the county and are drilled per state law by licensed well drillers; the county requires a letter of intent or receipt from the driller as part of building permit documentation. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyElectric grid disconnection is unrestricted, but the county's building permit process requires documented proof of both a water source and septic/sewer connection for new construction, making full off-grid water/sewer disconnection more complicated. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,360 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 51 in/yr
Snowfall: 7 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,137 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 11 to Oct 27

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital TriStar Hendersonville: 10.0 mi
Fire station Gallatin Fire Station Number Two: 12.4 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 11.3 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 0.8 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 37188).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.