Off-grid site report
Cherokee County, AL
34.1615, -85.7139 · 564 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Cherokee County, AL, 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 rulesCherokee County, AL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Generally allowedThe Cherokee County Commission states the county has no zoning regulations outside incorporated areas. Inside towns like Centre, municipal zoning codes apply instead, so check with the specific town if your land is within city limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county rule on tiny homes or RVs was found for unincorporated land, and since there's no zoning or permitting there, none appears to exist countywide. Not confirmed for land inside any specific town. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedCherokee County Commission confirms no building permits are required outside incorporated areas. Paid contractors must still be licensed through the Cherokee County Probate Office. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Cherokee County Health Department issues septic and holding-tank permits under Alabama Department of Public Health rules; holding tanks specifically require a permit before installation or use. source
Greywater reuse
RestrictedNo Cherokee County-specific greywater rule was found; it appears to inherit the state ADPH regulatory framework rather than being freely permitted. Confirm details with the county Environmental Services office. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county or state restriction on residential rainwater collection for non-potable use was found in the research.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell drilling is a state-level process, handled by ADEM-licensed drillers who file a Notification of Intent with the state; the Cherokee County Health Department is the local contact for follow-up water sampling. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo county ordinance requiring connection to public water, sewer, or electric utilities was found for unincorporated land, consistent with the lack of zoning there. Any mandatory hookup rule would come from a specific incorporated town, not confirmed for any of them. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.1 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,377 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 54 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,455 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center - 3.6 mi
- Fire station
Leesburg Fire Department - 3.0 mi
- Hardware store
Danny's Builder's Supply - 0.1 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 35983).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Cherokee County, AL?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.