Off-grid site report

Shelby County, IL

39.4129, -88.8456 · 610 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Shelby 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 rulesShelby County, IL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyThe Shelby County Zoning Office administers a countywide ordinance for unincorporated areas, with a one-acre minimum lot size for non-farm homes in Agricultural Districts; incorporated towns like Shelbyville have their own separate zoning codes not covered here. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedShelby County sets a 900 square foot minimum residence size with a variance option for hardship cases, and RVs or mobile homes as dwellings require specific zoning approval or a designated mobile home district. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedShelby County requires an Improvement Location Permit for any structure in unincorporated areas and enforces adopted International Building and Residential codes; ground-mounted solar needs a permit while roof-mounted reportedly does not, per the county's zoning FAQ. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Shelby County Health Department issues sewer/septic permits and requires the permit number before a zoning/building permit is finalized; the underlying technical standards come from the state IDPH private sewage disposal program. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Shelby County ordinance or health department page specifically addressing greywater reuse was found; this is not confirmed, so ask the Shelby County Health Department directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Shelby County ordinance addressing rainwater catchment or harvesting was located in zoning, building, or health department materials; not confirmed either way.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedNo Shelby County-specific well ordinance was found, so private wells fall under the statewide Illinois Water Well Construction Code administered by IDPH; confirm with the county health department whether any local layer applies. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo explicit Shelby County rule prohibits or permits full utility disconnection; any dwelling, grid-tied or not, still must go through the standard zoning and Improvement Location Permit process. source

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): 2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,396 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 39 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,420 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 11 to Oct 22

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital: 2.1 mi
Fire station Herrick Fire Department: 15.3 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 1.6 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 1.0 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 62565).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.