Off-grid site report
Franklin County, IL
37.9572, -88.8405 · 469 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Franklin 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 rulesFranklin County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo confirmed countywide Franklin County zoning ordinance was located. Benton's municipal code suggests its extraterritorial zoning only applies if the county lacks its own zoning code, implying raw land outside city zoning areas may or may not be covered. Not confirmed either way; ask the county directly. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Franklin County ordinance on minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV residency was found. This is left to local discretion under state baseline and Franklin County hasn't published specific rules.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedFranklin County's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 150 (Buildings and Housing), Section 150.01, requires building permits at the county level. The statewide building code effective 2025 may also apply, but its interaction with the county chapter is not confirmed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedRegulated statewide by IDPH under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905 for private sewage systems including septic tanks; locally administered by the Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department, which lists private sewage disposal procedures and a checklist. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Franklin County or Bi-County Health Department page specifically addresses greywater reuse. It may fall under general private sewage rules, but that's not confirmed. Ask the Bi-County Health Department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Franklin County or state agency page specifically regulates or permits residential rainwater harvesting; not confirmed either way.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedIllinois wells are governed statewide by IDPH's Water Well Construction Code, generally administered by local health departments. The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department is Franklin County's certified local health authority, though a dedicated well-permit page wasn't found. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Franklin County ordinance was found prohibiting disconnection from grid electricity or municipal water/sewer. It would likely fall under the general building code (Chapter 150), but no explicit rule either way was located. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,410 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 5 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,590 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 9 to Oct 23
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Franklin Hospital - 5.6 mi
- Fire station
Galatia Fire Department - 14.8 mi
- Hardware store
Menards - 15.9 mi
- Grocery
Farm Fresh - 5.3 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 62856).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Franklin County, IL?The rules above are the jurisdiction. The land check runs the parcel itself: flood zone, soils and septic suitability, wetlands, slope, access, climate, and these verdicts, from a parcel number or coordinates.
Check a parcel →Share or save this report:New report
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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.