Off-grid site report
Vigo County, IN
39.2873, -87.5372 · 469 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Vigo 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 rulesVigo County, IN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedVigo County has a Unified Zoning Ordinance covering unincorporated areas plus Riley, Seelyville, and West Terre Haute, administered by the Area Planning Department; an Improvement Location Permit is generally required before building. Terre Haute city has its own separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyResidential district rules exist in the zoning ordinance, but specific minimum dwelling size, tiny-home classification, or RV-as-residence rules were not confirmed; confirm with the Area Planning Department. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Vigo County Building Inspections Department, under the County Commissioners, requires building, electric, plumbing, and demolition permits under county code, layered on the state minimum code, with added floodplain review where applicable. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are licensed locally by the Vigo County Health Department's Environmental Health division under Indiana's statewide onsite sewage rule (410 IAC 6-8.3); composting toilet rules specifically were not confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Vigo County-specific greywater ordinance or health department guidance was found; this appears to fall back on general septic-compliant handling expectations under state rules.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting was found; it appears unrestricted at collection but any plumbing tie-in to a dwelling falls under county plumbing code enforcement. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWell drilling requires a state-licensed driller under Indiana Code 25-39 and 312 IAC 13, and local health departments often require a permit before drilling or pump installation; Vigo-specific fee/process was not confirmed, so ask Environmental Health directly. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo Vigo County ordinance mandating connection to public electric, water, or sewer utilities was found; off-grid living appears permitted as long as zoning, building, and septic/well permitting requirements are met. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,370 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 7 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,045 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Union Hospital Regional - 11.3 mi
- Fire station
Prarieton Fire department - 6.6 mi
- Hardware store
Menards - 10.1 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 10.5 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 47850).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Vigo County, IN?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.
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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.