Off-grid site report

Hancock County, IL

40.4121, -91.1471 · 679 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hancock 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 rulesHancock County, IL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyA Carthage municipal ordinance states that Hancock County did not have a countywide zoning ordinance in effect, suggesting unincorporated land may fall outside formal zoning control, while incorporated towns like Carthage set their own zoning. I couldn't re-confirm this directly on the county's own site, so treat it as probable but not fully verified, and check with the county and the specific municipality if you're near one. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyI found no official Hancock County or Illinois state page addressing minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV residency rules for this county. This is not confirmed, so ask Hancock County government or the relevant municipality directly.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyCarthage has its own building regulations title in its municipal code, so building permits are handled independently within city limits, but I could not confirm what applies to unincorporated Hancock County. Illinois adopted a statewide building code in 2025, but how it's implemented locally is not confirmed, so check with the county and Carthage separately. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Hancock County Health Department administers private sewage system permitting under state authority, and owners generally need a licensed septic contractor and a licensed soil scientist as part of that process. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed on the department's page, so confirm alternative-system rules with their environmental health division. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyI found no official Hancock County or Illinois state page specifically addressing residential greywater reuse. This is not confirmed, so ask the Hancock County Health Department's environmental health division how greywater fits under the private sewage rules.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official Hancock County or Illinois state source addressing residential rainwater harvesting turned up in my research. This is not confirmed, so I'd check with Hancock County government or the health department before relying on it.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Hancock County Health Department lists water wells alongside septic as an environmental health service, consistent with Illinois's statewide well construction code, though I could not retrieve specific permit procedures for this county. Confirm details directly with the department.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyI found no Hancock County or Illinois statute requiring hookup to grid power or municipal water/sewer. Since unincorporated Hancock County appears to lack a countywide zoning or building code, this is even less settled there than in towns like Carthage, so ask the county directly.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.0 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,406 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
39 in/yr
Snowfall
21 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,753 (cold)
Frost-free season
Apr 17 to Oct 16

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Memorial Hospital
1.8 mi
Fire station
Keokuk Fire Department
12.9 mi
Hardware store
Hartrick's Independent Lumber
12.7 mi
Grocery
Farm & Home Supply
13.2 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 62321).

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.