Off-grid site report
Anderson County, TN
36.0116, -84.2563 · 892 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Anderson 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 rulesAnderson County, TN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedAnderson County has adopted a countywide Zoning Resolution administered by the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, covering unincorporated areas outside Oak Ridge, Clinton, Norris, and Rocky Top. An Agricultural-Forestry (A-1) district exists for farming and forestry uses, but specific allowances depend on your parcel's zoning district. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyThe county enforces 2018 ICC building codes, but no official Anderson County page specifically addresses tiny home (Appendix Q) standards or long-term RV occupancy as a dwelling. Confirm directly with Building and Codes Enforcement.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedAnderson County requires building permits for structures over 100 square feet or costing $1,000 or more, issued through the Building and Codes Enforcement office. This county does not opt out of code enforcement. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe Anderson County Health Department requires a site evaluation with backhoe pits before issuing a septic permit. No county-specific exemption for composting toilets or dry cabins was found, so confirm directly with the Health Department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Anderson County-specific greywater ordinance or guidance was found. The state plumbing code baseline likely applies, but county enforcement specifics are not confirmed; ask the Health Department or TDEC.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Anderson County restriction on rainwater collection was found, and Tennessee state law generally permits collection without restriction.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells fall under the Tennessee Water Well Act of 1963, requiring a state-licensed driller, administered by TDEC's Division of Water Resources. No additional county-specific well permit was found beyond the state process, and the state does not require water quality testing for private wells. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo Anderson County ordinance mandating grid electric connection was found. Sewer connection mandates, if any, would be set by local utility districts like the North Anderson County Utility District rather than the county, and this was not confirmed for unincorporated areas.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,328 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 51 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,695 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 2 to Nov 3
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge - 1.0 mi
- Fire station
Oak Ridge Fire Department Headquarters - 0.1 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 1.8 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 0.3 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 37830).
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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.