Off-grid site report
Coles County, IL
39.4867, -88.1556 · 709 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Coles 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 rulesColes County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyColes County itself has no countywide zoning ordinance or permit requirement for unincorporated land, per the county's own zoning page, but six municipalities (Mattoon, Charleston, Oakland, Lerna, Humboldt, Ashmore) hold zoning authority up to 1.5 miles beyond their borders. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo county rule on minimum dwelling size or RV occupancy was found; likely unregulated in unincorporated areas given no permitting system, but Charleston and other towns run separate zoning/building codes within their jurisdiction. Not confirmed at county level. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedColes County does not require building permits for unincorporated land, though state and federal law still applies and commercial buildings need a pre-use inspection through the county Assessment Office. Municipalities like Charleston require their own permits. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic and other private sewage systems are permitted under the statewide Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Code, administered locally by the Coles County Health Department, which does plan review, soil evaluation, and inspections. Composting toilets aren't specifically addressed; confirm with the health department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Coles County or state page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; ask the Coles County Health Department's sewage program, which likely handles it under the same state framework.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county or state rule was found either authorizing or restricting residential rainwater harvesting; presumed fine for private non-potable use but not officially confirmed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted under the statewide Illinois Water Well Construction Code, with permits issued and inspections done through the Coles County Health Department's Water Wells Program. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Coles County ordinance was found requiring connection to grid electric or municipal water/sewer in unincorporated areas, consistent with the lack of countywide permitting, but this isn't explicitly confirmed. Municipalities like Charleston may have separate rules.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,384 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 17 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,153 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 17 to Oct 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center - 6.2 mi
- Fire station
Westfield Fire Protection District - 8.7 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 9.2 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 61920).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Coles County, IL?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.