Off-grid site report

Bradley County, TN

34.9922, -84.9465 · 876 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedBradley County, through its Planning Department, enforces a countywide zoning resolution for unincorporated areas with districts, a zoning map, and a Board of Zoning Appeals; incorporated Cleveland runs its own separate zoning. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo official Bradley County page specifically addresses tiny homes, Appendix Q, or RV living; manufactured homes have their own permit track and are a permitted use in some zoning districts. Confirm tiny-home/RV specifics with the county Building Inspections office. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedBradley County adopted the 2018 building codes rather than opting out, so building permits are required through the county's Building and Planning office, and a separate land disturbance permit applies if earth is disturbed on site. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic system permitting in Bradley County is handled directly by the State of Tennessee's TDEC Ground Water Protection office, not a county health department; applications for new systems are made through the state. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Bradley County or TDEC page specific to the county addresses greywater; the state plumbing code baseline is presumed to apply, but county enforcement practice is not confirmed. Ask TDEC or the county Building Inspections office directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, and this is presumed to follow the state baseline, which does not restrict collection.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedNo Bradley County-specific well ordinance was found; private wells are presumed governed by the statewide Water Well Act and TDEC well-driller licensing.

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo county ordinance was found mandating hookup to municipal utilities or barring full grid disconnection; county permit forms simply ask which electric provider will serve a structure. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.1 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.6 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,384 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 55 in/yr
Snowfall: 3 in/yr
Heating degree days: 3,321 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 7 to Nov 5

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Erlanger East Hospital: 12.3 mi
Fire station Catoosa County Fire Department: 10.5 mi
Hardware store Tunnel Hill Hardware: 11.6 mi
Grocery Food City: 8.5 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 30710).

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.