Off-grid site report
Iroquois County, IL
40.8275, -87.5820 · 673 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Iroquois 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 rulesIroquois County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyIroquois County has its own countywide Zoning Ordinance administered by the county Planning & Zoning office, which is unusual for Illinois counties. Incorporated towns like Watseka have their own separate codes that override county zoning within their limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedThe county's zoning ordinance allows RVs or campers on a lot only with a temporary permit from the Zoning Enforcement Officer, and travel trailers must be moved after a set period, so permanent RV living isn't allowed by right. Tiny homes as a distinct category aren't addressed in what I found; ask Planning & Zoning directly. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedIroquois County requires building/construction/development permits countywide through Planning & Zoning, with inspectors covering building, electrical, and plumbing, and the county actively enforces against unpermitted construction. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe county Public Health Department's Environmental Health division issues septic permits and enforces the Sewage Disposal Ordinance of Iroquois County alongside the Illinois Department of Public Health's Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Iroquois County or Illinois Department of Public Health page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse. Ask the county Public Health Department Environmental Health division for a direct answer.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or Health Department policy on residential rainwater harvesting turned up in official sources. Not confirmed either way, so check with the county directly.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe county Public Health Department's Well Program issues permits for private water wells in line with the statewide Illinois Water Well Construction Code, and also offers well testing services. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance explicitly bans disconnecting from electric, water, or sewer utilities, but the RV occupancy limits and mandatory permit/inspection regime suggest the county expects permanent dwellings to have inspected utilities, a well, or a septic system. Not confirmed as either prohibited or protected; ask Planning & Zoning and the Health Department before building fully off-grid.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,372 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 39 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,024 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 26 to Oct 9
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Iroquois Memorial Hospital - 8.9 mi
- Fire station
Beaver Fire Protection District Fire Station - 4.2 mi
- Hardware store
Winterroth Hardware - 21.0 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 7.0 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 60945).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Iroquois 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.