Off-grid site report
Hopkins County, KY
37.4217, -87.4730 · 413 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hopkins County, KY, 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 rulesHopkins County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyThe Hopkins County Joint Planning Commission lists zoning regulations by member city (Madisonville, Earlington, Dawson Springs, Hanson, Morton's Gap), and it's not confirmed whether a distinct county-wide zoning ordinance governs unincorporated land. County-wide subdivision regulations do apply to any new land division. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyNo county-wide rule on tiny homes or RVs beyond the state baseline (KRS 198B.060); whether mobile homes are allowed is set subdivision-by-subdivision per the county's subdivision regulations. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe Hopkins County Joint Planning Commission issues residential and commercial construction permits for unincorporated county territory. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted and inspected by the Hopkins County Health Department under Kentucky's statewide sewage code (902 KAR Chapter 10). Composting toilets aren't specifically addressed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Hopkins County-specific greywater rule was found; this inherits the state baseline under 902 KAR 10:085, administered by the same county health department that handles septic.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found; this inherits Kentucky's state baseline, which permits collection for non-potable use.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedKentucky requires no state or local permit or fee for a property owner to construct or abandon a well, though the well must be built by a certified driller. Many rural Hopkins County residents use rural water districts instead of private wells. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Hopkins County page was found mandating grid power or water/sewer hookup for occupancy; this isn't confirmed either way, so check directly with the Joint Planning Commission before assuming full off-grid living is unrestricted.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,407 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 49 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 3 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,949 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Baptist Health Madisonville - 5.7 mi
- Fire station
Calhoun Fire Dept. - 14.3 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 5.0 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 42413).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Hopkins County, KY?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.
New here, or not sure where this fits? Start here walks through the whole thing in order.