Off-grid site report
Oldham County, KY
38.3959, -85.3744 · 801 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Oldham 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 rulesOldham County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedOldham County has adopted a full Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance under KRS 100.201, administered by the Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission; land use and building types must conform to district regulations, unlike many rural KY counties with no zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official county ordinance language was found specifically addressing tiny houses or RVs as permanent dwellings; a non-official source suggests foundation-based modular units may qualify under state building code, but this is not confirmed. Contact Planning & Zoning directly. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe Oldham County Inspections Office, created by the Fiscal Court, enforces state and local building and electrical codes on new construction; it does not handle plumbing, septic, or HVAC permits, which go through other offices. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedOnsite sewage disposal is governed by state regulation 902 KAR 10:085, but the permit is issued locally by the Oldham County Health Department, which requires a system drawing before issuing a certificate needed for the building permit. source
Greywater reuse
Varies locallyNo Oldham County-specific greywater rule was found; it appears to fall under the same state regulation (902 KAR 10:085) as septic, administered case-by-case by the Health Department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department guidance on rainwater harvesting was found; default to the state's general allowance for non-potable catchment, with plumbing code applying if tied into potable fixtures.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedKentucky requires no permit or fee for constructing or abandoning a private well, but the work must be done by a state-certified well driller per state groundwater rules; the county has no separate well permitting process. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit Oldham County ordinance requiring connection to grid power or public water for occupancy was found, though a building permit does require approved septic or sewer service; confirm off-grid power specifics with Planning & Zoning and Buildings & Inspections. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,354 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 50 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 14 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,923 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 17 to Oct 21
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Baptist Health La Grange - 0.1 mi
- Fire station
Worthington Fire Station at Norton Commons - 11.4 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 12.3 mi
- Grocery
Kroger - 0.4 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 40031).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Oldham 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.