Off-grid site report

Perry County, IN

38.0204, -86.6948 · 610 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Perry 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 rulesPerry County, IN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyPerry County's Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals governs unincorporated land outside a two-mile radius of Cannelton, Tell City, and Troy; inside those areas, the town's own zoning code applies instead. An Improvement Location Permit is required before occupying land or a structure in county jurisdiction. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyThe county's building permit checklist covers single-family dwellings, additions, and accessory structures, implying standard dwellings are permitted, but no specific tiny-home or long-term RV occupancy standards were found on the county site. Confirm directly with Planning and Zoning. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedA residential building permit is required through the county Planning Department, and it will not be issued until a Water/Sewage (septic) permit or sewer tap-in receipt is obtained. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedAny dwelling not on city sewer needs a septic permit approved by the Perry County Health Inspector before a building permit can issue, under the state's on-site sewage rule (410 IAC 6-8.3) administered locally. Whether composting toilets are accepted as a stand-alone system in Perry County specifically was not confirmed; ask the county Health Department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Perry County-specific greywater ordinance was found. The state on-site sewage rule generally expects dwelling wastewater to go through an approved septic system, but no separate greywater reuse permit path was located.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Perry County ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting was found in the zoning code, building checklist, or health pages reviewed; it appears to inherit whatever baseline the state allows, but this is not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are governed by Indiana DNR statewide rules, and the county refers water and floodplain questions to DNR's Division of Water; no separate county well ordinance was found, but a water source must be shown for building permits. source
Living disconnected from utilities
RestrictedLiving disconnected from electric or public water is not itself prohibited by any county ordinance found, but occupancy of a structure still legally requires an Improvement Location Permit and an approved septic system, so full off-grid living without wastewater permitting is not legally supported. source

Open the full county page with sources →

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
1,348 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
48 in/yr
Snowfall
4 in/yr
Heating degree days
4,148 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 2 to Nov 5

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Perry County Memorial Hospital
4.2 mi
Fire station
Tell City Fire Department
6.1 mi
Hardware store
Santa Claus Hardware
14.2 mi
Grocery
Nobles
5.6 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 47586).

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.