Off-grid site report

Knox County, TN

35.9436, -83.9308 · 820 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Knox 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 rulesKnox County, TN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyKnoxville-Knox County Planning administers countywide zoning for unincorporated Knox County, while Farragut and Knoxville run their own separate zoning within their limits. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Varies locallyKnox County uses the statewide IRC/Appendix Q framework, but tiny home/RV placement as a dwelling depends on the zoning district; confirm specifics with Codes Administration rather than commercial tiny-home sites. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedKnox County Codes Administration and Enforcement requires building permits countywide, and a septic (SSDS) permit must be obtained before a building permit will be issued. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedKnox County Health Department runs its own septic/groundwater program rather than deferring to the state, and requires a permit before any SSDS work; composting toilet rules are not confirmed locally so the state NSF 41 baseline likely applies. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Knox County-specific greywater ordinance was found; likely inherits the state plumbing-code baseline, but this is not confirmed, so ask the Knox County Health Department directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Knox County ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, consistent with Tennessee's generally permissive statewide stance.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells are governed by the statewide Tennessee Water Well Act with no distinct Knox County ordinance found; the county health department offers well water bacteria testing. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyElectric and water disconnection (well/rainwater) are achievable, but wastewater cannot be skipped since a septic permit from the Knox County Health Department is required before any building permit is issued. source

Open the full county page with sources →

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: 1,359 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 52 in/yr
Heating degree days: 3,955 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 12 to Oct 31

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Blount Memorial Hospital: 13.0 mi
Fire station Knoxville Fire Department - Downtown: 1.5 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 1.4 mi
Grocery Publix: 0.7 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 37916).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.