Off-grid site report

Hardeman County, TN

35.1315, -89.0753 · 528 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hardeman County, TN, 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 rulesHardeman County, TN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedHardeman County has had a countywide zoning resolution since 1993, enforced by the county's Zoning Compliance office and Planning Commission, so raw land use is governed by zoning district rules, not left open.

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyThe county requires a permit for construction of any building or addition, and mobile homes need their own separate permit. Rules for tiny houses on wheels or Appendix Q are not confirmed on the county's official page, so ask Zoning Compliance directly.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallyHardeman County requires building permits per its own zoning office, but claims that the county has opted out of the state residential building code come only from industry (non-official) sources and are not confirmed on a state or county legal document. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic system construction permits in Tennessee, including Hardeman County, are issued under state TDEC rules through the appropriate Environmental Field Office. Whether a local Hardeman County office still processes applications versus direct TDEC online handling is not confirmed, so call TDEC to check. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Hardeman County-specific greywater rule was found in official sources, so this likely defaults to the state baseline, but it's not confirmed. Ask the county Zoning Compliance office or TDEC to be sure.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Hardeman County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, and this appears to follow Tennessee's generally permissive state baseline, though it's not separately confirmed for this county.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are common and legal in unincorporated Hardeman County, with state oversight limited to licensing well drillers and pump installers under Tennessee's Water Wells Act, administered by TDEC's Division of Water Resources. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyElectric grid disconnection is not restricted by the county. Water and sewer service depend heavily on location: incorporated areas like Bolivar have municipal utility departments, while unincorporated areas typically rely on private wells and septic by default. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,413 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 56 in/yr
Snowfall: 1 in/yr
Heating degree days: 3,502 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 5 to Nov 1

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Bolivar General Hospital: 10.3 mi
Fire station Grand Valley Lake Vol. Fire Station: 3.5 mi
Hardware store Charlie's Autoparts & Hardware: 8.3 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 10.6 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 38042).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.