Off-grid site report

Ogle County, IL

41.9352, -89.0511 · 781 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Ogle County, IL, 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 rulesOgle County, IL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedOgle County has countywide zoning (unusual for Illinois), adopted in 1965 and administered by the Planning & Zoning Department, with districts like AG-1, R-1 through R-4. This only covers unincorporated land; incorporated towns run separate codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedMobile homes and RVs used as dwellings are addressed specifically: mobile home parks/subdivisions fall under the R-4 district, and temporary RV/mobile home dwelling use elsewhere requires approval from the Planning, Assessment and Zoning Committee and the zoning administrator. No countywide minimum size rule for tiny homes on foundations was confirmed. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding activity in unincorporated areas is regulated through the Planning & Zoning Department's zoning, flood hazard, and subdivision review; how the county applies the newer statewide Illinois building code was not confirmed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Ogle County Health Department permits new septic installations and repairs under IDPH's Part 905 and Part 906 rules, and inspects before the system is covered. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county or IDPH page specifically addressing residential greywater reuse was found; this is unconfirmed and inherits the state's unclear status. Call OCHD Environmental Health to ask directly.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Ogle County ordinance or health department guidance specifically permitting or restricting rainwater harvesting was located; not confirmed either way.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Ogle County Health Department issues well construction permits and handles testing and inspections under the state's Water Well Construction Code, delegated authority from IDPH. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit county ordinance addresses full disconnection from public utilities; it appears routine in practice given how common private well and septic setups already are, but this isn't formally confirmed as a protected right.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,364 kWh
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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
34 in/yr
Snowfall
22 in/yr
Heating degree days
6,968 (cold)
Frost-free season
Apr 27 to Oct 7

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Rochelle Community Hospital
0.8 mi
Fire station
Rochelle Fire Department
1.1 mi
Hardware store
Rochelle Ace Hardware
0.9 mi
Grocery
Walmart Supercenter
0.1 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 61068).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.