Off-grid site report

Rock Island County, IL

41.5095, -90.5792 · 581 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Rock Island 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 rulesRock Island County, IL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyUnincorporated land is governed by the county's Quad City Unified Ordinance (Title XV of the County Code), administered by the Zoning & Building Department. Cities and villages like Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline run their own separate zoning departments. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedCounty code requires a permanent foundation below the 42-inch frost line plus specific roofing and siding standards for a legal dwelling, and RVs may only be parked short-term, not lived in permanently. Certified modular/manufactured homes are allowed as equivalent to site-built houses. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedThe county Building Department reviews plans and issues building and occupancy permits for unincorporated areas, requiring site plans and Health Department sign-off on well/septic before approval. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Rock Island County Health Department administers a local Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance under the state IDPH sewage code; composting toilets aren't separately addressed and should be confirmed with the department. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department guidance on greywater reuse was found; this needs direct confirmation with the Health Department's Environmental Division.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county-specific rule on rainwater harvesting for household use was found; treat as unconfirmed and check with the county.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe Health Department issues well permits under its Water Supplies and Closed Loop Well Ordinance, tied to the statewide IDPH well program.

Living disconnected from utilities

RestrictedNo explicit ban on disconnecting from the grid exists, but dwelling code requiring permanent foundations and mandatory Health Department well/septic approval for new construction effectively limits fully off-grid, unpermitted living. 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): 3.3 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,364 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 37 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,879 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 11 to Oct 26

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital UnityPoint Health - Trinity: 1.9 mi
Fire station Central Fire Station: 0.2 mi
Hardware store Ace Hardware: 1.5 mi
Grocery T&T Asian Foods Market: 0.2 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 52801).

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.