Off-grid site report

McLean County, IL

40.4880, -89.0404 · 817 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McLean 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 rulesMcLean County, IL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMcLean County has had countywide zoning since 1966, administered by the Building & Zoning Department, but it only applies in unincorporated areas. If your land is inside Bloomington, Normal, or another town, that municipality's own zoning code controls instead of the county's. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyI couldn't find a specific McLean County rule on tiny homes or long-term RV living as a dwelling. The zoning ordinance does regulate how long a manufactured/mobile home can stay on a lot, with removal requirements, so this is likely handled case-by-case; call County Building & Zoning to ask directly. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedIn unincorporated McLean County, the Building & Zoning Department regulates construction through zoning, flood hazard, and subdivision rules, and you're expected to contact them before building. Illinois adopted a new statewide building code effective January 1, 2025, so confirm with the county how that's being locally enforced. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe McLean County Health Department's Private Sewage Disposal Program permits septic systems under the Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Code and the county's own Septic System, Water Well, and Geothermal Ordinance, with over 10,000 active permitted systems in the county. Composting toilets likely fall under this same state code, so confirm acceptance with MCHD Environmental Health. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyI found no official county or state page specifically covering residential greywater reuse in McLean County. It would likely fall under the same Private Sewage Disposal framework MCHD administers, so ask the Environmental Health Division how they'd classify and permit a greywater system.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo McLean County ordinance or health department page specifically addresses residential rainwater harvesting; the county's water-systems guidance only covers wells and public/community water. Not confirmed either way, so this isn't something I'd assume is regulated or banned. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted in McLean County under the Illinois Water Well Construction Code and the county's Septic System, Well Water, and Geothermal Ordinance, with the MCHD Environmental Health Division handling inspections and guidance. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyThere's no explicit county ban on living off the electric grid, but zoning ties lot size to water and sewer requirements: lots under 22,500 square feet must connect to public or community sewer and water, while larger lots may use private septic and wells if there's enough room to meet state and county standards. Check with Building & Zoning about any occupancy-permit implications for going off-grid. 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)
2.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,380 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
39 in/yr
Snowfall
20 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,193 (cold)
Frost-free season
Apr 28 to Oct 10

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Carle BroMenn Medical Center
2.6 mi
Fire station
Fire Station #1
2.3 mi
Hardware store
Ace Hardware
3.5 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 61790).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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.