Off-grid site report

Cumberland County, TN

35.9829, -85.0381 · 1,762 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo countywide zoning ordinance was found; the Cumberland County Regional Planning Commission's confirmed authority covers subdivision (land-splitting) regulations, not general land-use zoning. If you're not subdividing, this likely doesn't apply, but confirm with the Planning Commission. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyThe county Codes Department enforces the 2018 IRC, but no county-specific page addresses tiny homes, Appendix Q, or RV occupancy. Tennessee allows counties to opt in or out of IRC Appendix Q and it's not confirmed which way Cumberland County went. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedCumberland County operates its own Codes Department and requires Building, Plumbing, and Mechanical/HVAC/Gas permits for residential construction, issued in Crossville or online. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic systems are permitted through the State of Tennessee (TDEC), not the county Codes Department, per the county's own guidance. No composting toilet exemption or dry-cabin allowance was found. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Cumberland County greywater ordinance was found. State plumbing code technically allows subsurface greywater irrigation, but local permitting practice is unclear; ask the Codes Department or TDEC.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, and Tennessee has no statewide restriction on harvesting rainwater.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedNo county well authority was found; well drilling in Tennessee is governed at the state level under the Water Well Act and requires a licensed driller. Well location is referenced in the state septic permit site sketch. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyThe county requires building and septic permits for any new dwelling regardless of grid connection status, so off-grid utilities don't exempt you from permitting. Electric disconnection itself isn't separately addressed at the county level. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.2 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,302 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 55 in/yr
Snowfall: 10 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,264 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 12 to Oct 24

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Cumberland Medical Center: 2.9 mi
Fire station Volunteer Fire Dept.: 10.3 mi
Hardware store Lowe's: 0.2 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 38557).

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.