Off-grid site report

Putnam County, IL

41.1850, -89.3965 · 522 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedPutnam County has an adopted, actively enforced countywide zoning ordinance administered by the county's Zoning & Floodplain Office, with a Zoning Board of Appeals for variances and special uses. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyThe zoning ordinance defines RVs as temporary living quarters, suggesting they aren't treated as permanent dwellings, but specific tiny-home or RV occupancy rules weren't found; confirm with the county Zoning & Floodplain Office. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedThe county Building Department runs its own building permit program with an online portal for applications, fees, and inspections; how the 2025 statewide Illinois building code interacts with local code wasn't confirmed. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Bureau, Putnam & Marshall County Health Departments under Illinois Department of Public Health authority, requiring soil testing and pre-backfill inspection; composting toilets aren't specifically addressed locally. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo official Putnam County or BPMHD page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; ask BPMHD's Sewage/Environmental Health Program directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Putnam County or BPMHD page was found authorizing or regulating residential rainwater harvesting; this isn't confirmed either way.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedBPMHD issues private water well construction permits under the state's Water Well Construction Code and inspects new and renovated wells in Putnam County.

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo explicit Putnam County rule on disconnecting from grid electric or water was found, though any inhabited dwelling off public sewer still needs an IDPH/BPMHD septic permit.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,356 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 36 in/yr
Snowfall: 16 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,212 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 27 to Oct 11

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital OSF Saint Clare Medical Center: 12.9 mi
Fire station Princeton Fire Department: 13.6 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 14.0 mi
Grocery IGA: 11.0 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 61560).

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.