Off-grid site report

Sequatchie County, TN

35.3849, -85.3808 · 735 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyNo confirmed county-wide zoning ordinance exists for unincorporated Sequatchie County; the City of Dunlap has its own zoning ordinance that applies only inside city limits. Confirm with the county whether any zoning resolution has been adopted for your specific parcel. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyWith no building permits required county-wide and no zoning code found, tiny homes and RVs appear largely unrestricted outside Dunlap, but no ordinance specifically addresses this so it's not fully confirmed. Dunlap's city building/zoning code applies within city limits.

Building permits & codes

Varies locallySequatchie County does not require building permits county-wide per the Assessor's office, though some utility providers require permits for electrical or septic work. The City of Dunlap requires permits for property within city limits. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic systems require a state SSDS permit administered through TDEC's Chattanooga Field Office, coordinated locally by the Sequatchie County Environmentalist/Division of Water Resources office. A TDEC site evaluation determines the required system type. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Sequatchie County-specific greywater rule was found; the state plumbing code baseline likely applies. Confirm directly with the county Environmentalist/Division of Water Resources office.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county or state restriction on rainwater harvesting was found in official sources reviewed.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed by the state Tennessee Water Well Act of 1963, which requires a licensed well driller; no additional county well ordinance was found. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyGrid electric disconnection appears unrestricted and septic is mandatory statewide for habitable structures, but properties near or within Dunlap may face additional water/sewer connection requirements set by the city rather than the county. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,331 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 57 in/yr
Heating degree days: 3,607 (moderate)

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Erlanger Bledsoe Hospital: 19.5 mi
Fire station Red Hill Fire Station: 11.1 mi
Hardware store Elder's Ace Hardware: 16.3 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 37327).

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.