Off-grid site report
McDonough County, IL
40.4587, -90.6710 · 705 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McDonough 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 rulesMcDonough County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyI couldn't find a confirmed countywide zoning ordinance for McDonough County. Incorporated towns like Macomb run their own zoning, and for unincorporated land you'll need to check with the specific municipality or the county directly since the county Comprehensive Plan is advisory, not regulatory. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyI found no official county or municipal language on tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, or RV residency in McDonough County. This is one to confirm directly with Macomb Zoning or the relevant township hall.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyBuilding permits are handled at different levels here, sometimes by Building Departments and sometimes by Town/City Halls depending on where the parcel sits. Macomb has its own zoning and permitting office, and I'd treat any statewide code as the baseline until a local office confirms specifics. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe McDonough County Health Department is the confirmed authority for septic permitting, doing plan review and site inspections for private sewage systems under the statewide IDPH code. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed on their site, so I'd call the Health Department to ask.
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyI didn't find any official McDonough County or state page specifically covering residential greywater reuse. The Health Department that handles septic permits would be the office to ask.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official county page on rainwater harvesting turned up in my research, so this one isn't confirmed either way locally.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe McDonough County Health Department also administers private well permitting, reviewing plans and inspecting new wells and abandoned well sealings under the state Water Well Construction Code.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyI found no explicit county or municipal rule permitting or prohibiting full off-grid utility disconnection. It likely comes down to local zoning and occupancy rules that vary between incorporated towns and unincorporated townships, so confirm with the applicable local zoning or building office.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,419 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 39 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,856 (cold)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
McDonough District Hospital - 0.9 mi
- Fire station
Macomb Fire Department - 0.2 mi
- Hardware store
West Side Lumber Ace Hardware - 1.0 mi
- Grocery
Aldi - 1.1 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 61455).
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.