Off-grid site report

Marion County, IL

38.6180, -89.0607 · 525 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Marion 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 rulesMarion County, IL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo official Marion County planning/zoning department page or countywide zoning ordinance was found. Illinois counties aren't required to adopt zoning, so unincorporated Marion County may have none, or it may exist unpublished online; incorporated towns like Salem have their own zoning via a Planning Commission. Confirm directly with the county. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV residency was found. Salem's municipal code references mobile and modular structures for permit fee purposes, but that's a city rule, not a county one. source

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyNo Marion County building department or permit ordinance was found. Illinois's statewide building code took effect January 1, 2025; whether the county has its own permitting on top of that is not confirmed. Salem has its own city permit fee schedule. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedMarion County Health Department's Division of Environmental Health issues septic (private sewage disposal) permits under the statewide Illinois Department of Public Health framework; composting toilets are allowed under the state code as an alternative, but confirm procedure with the county. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Marion County or state page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse. This inherits Illinois's general 'unclear' baseline; ask the county Health Department's Environmental Health division directly.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo Marion County or state rule specifically authorizing or regulating residential rainwater harvesting was found; this inherits the state's unclear baseline.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedMarion County Health Department issues well construction permits, consistent with Illinois's statewide Water Well Construction Code, which requires a licensed contractor and permit before drilling. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo Marion County ordinance found that prohibits or explicitly allows disconnecting from grid electricity or municipal water/sewer; this would depend on unconfirmed county zoning or building rules. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.3 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,397 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 44 in/yr
Snowfall: 12 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,063 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 12 to Oct 22

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Salem Township Hospital: 6.3 mi
Fire station Salem Fire Protection District: 6.2 mi
Hardware store Crescent Bearing & Supply: 6.2 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 4.3 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 62870).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.