Off-grid site report
Vanderburgh County, IN
38.1245, -87.6736Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Vanderburgh 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 rulesVanderburgh County, IN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedThe Evansville-Vanderburgh County Area Plan Commission administers zoning countywide, including unincorporated land and Darmstadt, and requires an Improvement Location Permit before building or changing land use. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedRV placement beyond 180 days is treated as 'development' under the county's floodplain ordinance, and manufactured homes have their own installation standards; tiny-home occupancy minimums are not confirmed, so check with the APC.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe joint Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Commission enforces state-adopted construction codes and generally requires licensed contractors and permits/inspections. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Vanderburgh County Health Department permits on-site sewage systems under state Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3, requiring a licensed soil scientist's evaluation; where public sewer exists, connection may be mandatory instead. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance was found; it's presumptively covered by the same private sewage disposal rules as septic. Confirm with the Vanderburgh County Health Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting or cisterns was found; any connection into household plumbing would fall under general state plumbing code. Confirm with the Building Commission.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Vanderburgh County Health Department confirms there is no local well ordinance; well drilling and pump installer licensing are handled by the Indiana DNR Division of Water at the state level. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo county rule requires electric or water hookup, but county code can require connection to public sewer where it's available, with fines for noncompliance. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,407 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 12 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,549 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 10 to Oct 25
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Deaconess Hospital - 11.3 mi
- Fire station
Scott Township Fire Station 3 - 5.4 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 10.3 mi
- Grocery
Schnucks - 6.9 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 47720).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Vanderburgh 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.
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.