Off-grid site report
Jo Daviess County, IL
42.4965, -89.9896 · 988 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Jo Daviess 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 rulesJo Daviess County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedJo Daviess County has countywide zoning for unincorporated areas, administered by the Planning & Development Department; incorporated towns like Galena have their own separate codes. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official county page specifically addresses tiny home or RV residency; setback rules exist (20' side, 40' rear in Ag/R-1) but occupancy standards for alternative dwellings aren't confirmed. Ask Planning & Development. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThe county requires building permits and inspections at multiple construction stages, and a septic permit or health department sign-off must be obtained before a building permit is issued. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted and inspected by the county's Environmental Health Department under the Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and the county's own sewage ordinance; composting toilet treatment isn't addressed on official pages, so confirm directly. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Jo Daviess County or Illinois state page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; it likely falls under the private sewage ordinance but this isn't confirmed. Ask the county Environmental Health Division.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official county or state rule specifically authorizing or restricting residential rainwater harvesting was found in this research.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are regulated under the Illinois Water Well Construction Code, with permits and water testing administered locally through the county health department; geothermal closed-loop wells need a separate permit too.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo specific county ordinance was found prohibiting or explicitly permitting full off-grid utility disconnection; occupancy still requires an approved septic system as a prerequisite for a building permit. Confirm with Planning & Development.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,356 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 37 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 32 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,951 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 29 to Oct 5
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Monroe Clinic Hospital - 19.7 mi
- Fire station
Warren Fire Department - 0.1 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 10.1 mi
- Grocery
IGA - 0.7 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 61087).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Jo Daviess 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.