Off-grid site report

Tazewell County, IL

40.7034, -89.4065 · 761 ft elevation

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

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyTazewell County has countywide zoning (Title XV, Ch. 157) administered by Community Development, with districts like A-1, A-2, and Conservation; nearby municipalities can claim extra-territorial jurisdiction within 1.5 miles of their boundary. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedCounty zoning treats RVs as temporary/seasonal uses only, capping guest RV occupancy at 60 days a year; permanent RV living isn't permitted, and no minimum tiny-home size was confirmed, so ask Community Development. source

Building permits & codes

Generally allowedTazewell County requires a building permit through Community Development, including Illinois Energy Conservation Code compliance and proof of septic approval or sanitary district connection. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Tazewell County Health Department issues septic permits under IDPH standards, requiring a soil investigation before approval. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Tazewell-specific greywater ordinance was found; this falls under the state Illinois Plumbing Code (IDPH) baseline, so check with the County Health Department for case-specific guidance.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; it defaults to the state Illinois Plumbing Code framework under IDPH, not confirmed for Tazewell specifically.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe Tazewell County Health Department permits all well construction, repair, and pump installation, and requires owners to keep wells in safe condition; confirm the current permit fee directly with the department. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo explicit county ban on off-grid electrical disconnection was found, but building permits indirectly require an approved septic system or sanitary district hookup, so full off-grid water/sewage independence is constrained in practice. source

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.8 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.4 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,391 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 38 in/yr
Snowfall: 22 in/yr
Heating degree days: 6,033 (cold)
Frost-free season: Apr 25 to Oct 8

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Carle Eureka Hospital: 7.2 mi
Fire station Washington Fire Department: 0.9 mi
Hardware store Nena Ace Hardware: 1.9 mi
Grocery Kroger: 2.1 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 61571).

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.