Off-grid site report
Washington County, IN
38.6953, -86.1705Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Washington 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 rulesWashington County, IN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedWashington County has countywide zoning administered by the Area Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, unusual for a rural Indiana county. Specific permitted-use lists by district were not confirmed, so check with Planning for your parcel. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedManufactured tiny homes/cabins need a HUD plate or Indiana modular sticker, and RVs/temporary structures cannot get a 911 address, which the county treats as disqualifying for permanent occupancy. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county enforces the Indiana Residential Code with state amendments and requires a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy before you can occupy a new home. Contractor licensing isn't required except for plumbers and mobile home installers under state law. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedThe county Health Department requires a minimum lot size (.75 acre on public water, 1.00 acre with a private well), a Certified Soil Scientist's soil test, and a permit fee, all under the state's Indiana Septic Code 410 IAC 6-8.3. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific greywater ordinance or guidance was found; the Health Department's environmental page covers septic and water supply but not greywater reuse directly. Ask the Health Department for their current position before setting up a system.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Washington County rule addressing rainwater catchment was found in planning, building, or health materials, so it appears to default to Indiana's generally permissive state baseline, but this isn't locally confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are allowed; well drillers must be licensed by the state under IC 25-39 and 312 IAC 13, and the county Health Department offers water testing and consultation. No separate county well-construction permit beyond septic-linked acreage rules was confirmed. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyThere's no mandatory utility hookup ordinance found, so disconnecting from the grid is allowed in principle, but you still need septic/well compliance, a Certificate of Occupancy, and a 911 address to occupy a home as a permanent residence, which RVs and temporary structures can't get. source
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
- 1,331 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 46 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 14 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,736 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 21 to Oct 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Saint Vincent Salem Hospital - 6.6 mi
- Fire station
Marrion Township Fire station - 17.7 mi
- Hardware store
Kirby Hardware - 15.3 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 7.4 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 47108).
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.