Off-grid site report
Johnson County, KY
37.8134, -82.8082 · 607 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Johnson 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 rulesJohnson County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo countywide zoning ordinance or planning department page was found for Johnson County's Fiscal Court. Kentucky counties adopt zoning optionally under KRS Chapter 100, and no evidence of adoption here surfaced, so confirm directly with the Fiscal Court; the City of Paintsville may have separate rules that apply only inside city limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rule on tiny homes, RVs, or dwelling occupancy was found. This likely falls back to the state framework under KRS 198B.060, but whether Johnson County has adopted local enforcement is not confirmed.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo Johnson County building department or permit page was located. Absent confirmed local enforcement, the state's Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction framework is the likely default, but this is not confirmed for the county.
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Johnson County Health Department's Environmental Services office inspects and permits septic installation and repair, under the statewide requirement in KRS 211.350 that a permit be obtained from the local health department before installing or altering an on-site sewage system. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; this is governed by the state's administrative regulation, and the same county Health Department Environmental Services office is the point of contact. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county or state restriction on rainwater collection for non-potable use was found in this research.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Johnson County well-permitting requirement was found. The state baseline requires wells be constructed by a Kentucky Certified Water Well Driller, without a separate homeowner permit or fee identified.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance requiring connection to grid power, water, or sewer was found at the county or state level in this research; treat as unconfirmed rather than assured.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,242 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 11 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,635 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 16 to Oct 22
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Paintsville ARH Hospital - 0.3 mi
- Fire station
Floyd County Emergency Rescue Squad - 8.7 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 0.5 mi
- Grocery
Save-A-Lot - 0.5 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 41240).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Johnson 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.