Off-grid site report
Scott County, IN
38.6855, -85.7962 · 568 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Scott 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 rulesScott County, IN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedScott County has adopted countywide zoning administered by the Area Plan Commission, requiring Improvement Location Permits for development. The City of Austin has its own separate zoning authority within the county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyThe county ordinance separately classifies manufactured/modular/mobile homes and RV/campground uses, but no official minimum size or RV-as-permanent-dwelling rule was confirmed. Confirm current standards with the Planning Department.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedIndiana sets a statewide minimum building code, but plan review and inspection for one- and two-family homes is handled locally by Scott County's Planning/Building Commissioner. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Scott County Health Department's Environmental section handles onsite sewage permitting, site evaluation, and soil analysis for new and repair systems, under the state's 410 IAC 6-8.3 rule. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Scott County-specific greywater ordinance or guidance was found; it likely falls under the same state sewage framework, but this is not confirmed. Ask the county Environmental section.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance or restriction on rainwater catchment was found, so it appears to inherit the state's general allowance; indoor plumbing tie-ins would still fall under standard building/plumbing permitting.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are regulated at the state level by Indiana DNR (312 IAC 13, IC 25-39); no additional county-specific well ordinance was found beyond state septic-to-well separation rules. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo countywide mandatory utility hookup ordinance was found, suggesting the state's default of no mandated connection applies, but subdivision ordinance provisions on this were not fully verified. Confirm with Planning.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,323 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 47 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 12 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,065 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 22 to Oct 15
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Norton Scott Hospital - 1.5 mi
- Fire station
- none within range
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 1.0 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 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 47170).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
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.