Off-grid site report
Stephenson County, IL
42.2981, -89.6218 · 791 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Stephenson 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 rulesStephenson County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedStephenson County adopted its own zoning ordinance in 1971 (amended since), dividing the county into 18 districts; residential districts can require substantial acreage and lot width, e.g. two acres plus 200-foot building line width in at least one district. This applies only in unincorporated areas; towns have separate codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedOne principal building per lot generally (two farm dwellings allowed on farms). Mobile/manufactured homes need a building permit in the R-6 district and must meet the state Mobile Home Tiedown Act; standalone tiny homes and RV residency outside mobile home parks are not addressed in county code, per the County Zoning Department. source
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe county has not adopted a uniform building code; instead it requires a Zoning Certificate for most new construction 120 sq ft or larger. A state law requires ICC/NFPA-compliant inspection for new commercial buildings in non-building-code jurisdictions, but its residential applicability is unconfirmed by county Zoning. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedAny site without central sewer must use a septic system approved by the Stephenson County Health Department, administered under the state's IAC Title 77 Part 905 Private Sewage Disposal Code. No specific county rule on composting toilets was found. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Stephenson County ordinance specifically addressing residential greywater reuse was found; ask the County Health Department directly for a determination.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance addressing rainwater collection or cistern use was found, and no statewide rule was identified either.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedA Health Department permit is required before constructing or deepening a private well, under state well construction and pump installation codes (77 Ill. Adm. Code 920/925) adopted by the county; community public water wells instead go through Illinois EPA. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance explicitly bans full off-grid living, but any legal dwelling must still have an approved septic system or sewer connection and, if using a private well, a Health Department permit, per the county's septic and well rules. 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
- 1,366 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 36 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 31 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,933 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 26 to Oct 9
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
MercyHealth FHN Memorial Hospital - 0.9 mi
- Fire station
Fire Station #2 - 0.6 mi
- Hardware store
Harbor Freight Tools - 1.4 mi
- Grocery
Cub Foods - 1.2 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 61032).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Stephenson County, IL?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.