Off-grid site report
Richland County, IL
38.6503, -88.0436 · 541 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Richland 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 rulesRichland County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo official Richland County, Illinois zoning ordinance or GIS/zoning-map page was found. Illinois counties may adopt zoning under the state Zoning Enabling Act but aren't required to, so Richland County may or may not have one; towns within the county may have their own separate rules. Confirm directly with the county and relevant township/village. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo statewide Illinois law or confirmed Richland County ordinance addresses minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV residency. This is controlled locally if at all, and the local rule could not be verified.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo official Richland County building department page or adopted building code was located. Illinois adopted a new statewide building code via the Capital Development Board in 2025; ask the county board or building official how it's enforced locally. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Illinois Department of Public Health sets statewide minimum standards for private sewage disposal systems, and counties enforce ordinances that meet or exceed those minimums. In Richland County, the Richland County Health Office handles this locally, though its exact permitting scope wasn't separately confirmed. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official IDPH or Richland County rule on residential greywater reuse was found. Ask the Richland County Health Office how greywater is classified relative to the septic code.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official statewide or Richland County rule specifically authorizing or restricting residential rainwater harvesting was located.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedIDPH licenses well contractors and regulates construction, modification, and sealing of private wells statewide, with local health departments reviewing plans and issuing permits. The Richland County Health Office also offers water testing locally.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo state statute or confirmed Richland County ordinance explicitly addresses full disconnection from grid power or municipal water/sewer. Local health or building code requirements (like needing an approved septic system for occupancy) could indirectly affect this, but details weren't confirmed for the county.
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
- 1,358 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 47 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 12 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,137 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 16 to Oct 17
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Carle Richland Memorial Hospital - 6.2 mi
- Fire station
Olney Fire Department - 6.2 mi
- Hardware store
Hurn Lumber - 6.2 mi
- Grocery
IGA - 5.7 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 62419).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Richland 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.