Off-grid site report
Bourbon County, KY
38.1984, -84.2761 · 889 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Bourbon County, KY, 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 rulesBourbon County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedBourbon County has countywide zoning through the Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission (formed 1968 by interlocal agreement among Paris, Millersburg, North Middletown, and the county), with districts like A-1 and R-1 governing land use and dwelling density. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyDwelling placement depends on zoning district (e.g., A-1's five-acre-per-home density rule); specific rules for tiny homes and RVs as permanent residences are not confirmed on the official planning site and should be checked district by district. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedUnlike many unzoned Kentucky counties exempted under state law, Bourbon County's Joint Planning Office requires building permits and enforces codes countywide, including unincorporated areas.
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted through the Bourbon County Health Department following a required site evaluation, under the state's 902 KAR Chapter 10 program; composting toilets are not addressed locally and should be confirmed with the health department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Bourbon County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it appears to fall under the state's 902 KAR 10:085 framework administered by the same local health department that handles septic, but this is not confirmed locally.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance addresses rainwater harvesting, which suggests the state baseline of permitting non-potable collection applies, though this is not explicitly confirmed for Bourbon County.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted under state driller certification with no separate Bourbon County well ordinance found; the county sits in a limestone karst region relevant to well siting per the Kentucky Geological Survey. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit Bourbon County ordinance requires grid, water, or sewer hookup, but the county's active building-permit regime could indirectly require proof of an approved well/septic system; this is not officially confirmed and should be checked with the Joint Planning Office.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,352 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 10 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,940 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 20 to Oct 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Centerpoint Health - Paris - 2.6 mi
- Fire station
Lexington Fire Station #23 - 9.0 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 13.6 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.1 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 40362).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Bourbon County, KY?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.