Off-grid site report

Sullivan County, IN

39.0953, -87.4078 · 532 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Sullivan County, IN, 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 rulesSullivan County, IN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallySullivan County has adopted a countywide zoning resolution administered by Planning and Zoning, but the actual ordinance text with acreage/setback specifics was not found on an official county page. Municipalities like the City of Sullivan, Farmersburg, Carlisle, and Dugger have their own separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyA third-party source describes permanent-foundation and Improvement Location Permit requirements, but this is not confirmed on an official Sullivan County page. Confirm with the county before assuming rules for tiny homes or RVs.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedIndiana's statewide IRC-based residential code applies, and unincorporated Sullivan County likely uses an Improvement Location or building permit process, but the county's own permitting mechanics were not found on an official source. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Sullivan County Health Department requires a permit before any new construction, installation, or repair of a septic system, administered under state Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 plus the county's own Onsite Sewage Ordinance No. 2022-0. Composting toilets are not addressed in available county materials. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Sullivan County-specific greywater rule was found; state baseline treats greywater like sewage requiring septic-compliant handling, administered by the same county Health Department. Not confirmed for county-specific policy.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Sullivan County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, so it is presumed permitted under state baseline, though this is an absence-of-evidence finding rather than an explicit confirmation.
Private wells & water rights
RestrictedIndiana has no statewide well drilling permit requirement, but most counties, likely including Sullivan, require a local health department permit and may set specific setback distances. Wells follow state construction standards administered by DNR's Division of Water. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Sullivan County ordinance requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities was found, and Indiana has no known statewide mandatory-hookup law, but any local rule would be set at county or town level and was not confirmed either way.

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)
2.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,353 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
46 in/yr
Heating degree days
5,336 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 18 to Oct 21

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Sullivan County Community Hospital
2.1 mi
Fire station
Sullivan Fire Department
0.1 mi
Hardware store
Medley's Carlisle Hardware
9.2 mi
Grocery
Baesler's Market
0.2 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 47882).

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.