Off-grid site report
Fayette County, KY
38.0513, -84.5028 · 935 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Fayette 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 rulesFayette County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedLFUCG's countywide Zoning Ordinance requires a Zoning Compliance Permit for occupancy or use changes under Sec. 5-2, with exemptions for agricultural uses and single/two-family homes from that specific permit only. Rural Land Management provisions govern much of the outer county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo LFUCG-specific tiny-home or long-term RV occupancy policy was found; classification depends on the underlying zone and use-type, so confirm directly with LFUCG Planning/Building. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedLFUCG's Division of Building Inspection requires a building permit before any structure is erected, moved, added to, or structurally altered, and Fayette reportedly runs its own plumbing inspection program (not confirmed to official-source standard). source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Fayette County Health Department, under state authority (902 KAR Chapter 10), requires a permit, a certified installer, and Sanitarian inspection for any septic system, using Form SS-182A plus a fee. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Fayette-specific greywater ordinance was found; the state rule (902 KAR 10:085) applies, administered through the local health department. Confirm any local supplement with LFCHD Environmental Health.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo LFUCG ordinance restricting non-potable rainwater collection was found; general state plumbing code baseline applies, and potable-use cross-connection rules are not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedKentucky's Division of Water regulates well construction statewide under 401 KAR 6:310, requiring a certified driller; no additional Fayette County permit or fee layer was identified. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance explicitly bars full utility disconnection, but a Sanitary Sewer Capacity Permit requirement could functionally limit off-grid wastewater approaches where sewer is deemed available. Confirm with LFUCG Planning/Building and Division of Water Quality. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,341 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 45 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 13 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,610 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 14 to Oct 27
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Good Samaritan Hospital - 0.6 mi
- Fire station
Fire Station #4 - 0.3 mi
- Hardware store
Chevy Chase Hardware - 1.8 mi
- Grocery
Wildcat Pantry - 1.4 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 40508).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Fayette 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.