Off-grid site report

Winnebago County, IL

42.2447, -89.0913 · 738 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyWinnebago County's zoning ordinance, administered by the Planning & Zoning Division, governs unincorporated land only; inside any village or city, that municipality's own zoning code applies instead. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyThe county ordinance has a distinct manufactured-home park district, but specific tiny-home square footage or RV-residency rules were not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning directly. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedWinnebago County's Building Division has adopted the International Building Code and International Residential Code (2015 editions per last confirmed update) for unincorporated areas, and a permit is required for most new construction. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Winnebago County Health Department permits and inspects private sewage systems as the local agent for the Illinois Department of Public Health; a variance process exists for sites that can't fully meet code. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county or Illinois EPA page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; this needs direct confirmation from the Health Department.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo official Winnebago County or Illinois EPA source specifically authorizes or regulates residential rainwater harvesting.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe Winnebago County Health Department permits and inspects private wells, requires Illinois-licensed well contractors, and recommends annual water testing. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance explicitly requires grid utility connection, but adopted IRC habitability standards and septic/well permitting apply indirectly to any occupied structure; not directly confirmed either way. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.8 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,361 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 36 in/yr
Snowfall: 37 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,569 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 26 to Oct 11

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital UW Health SwedishAmerican Hospital: 1.7 mi
Fire station Rockford Fire Department: 1.0 mi
Hardware store Nicholson Hardware Store: 1.5 mi
Grocery Dollar General Market: 0.6 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 61104).

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.