Off-grid site report
Greenup County, KY
38.5173, -82.6977 · 669 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Greenup County, KY, 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 rulesGreenup County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyThe Greenup County Joint Planning Commission administers zoning for the county and member cities, but specific rules for raw-land occupancy or camping in unincorporated areas aren't spelled out in an official ordinance text I could find. Confirm with the Commission for your specific parcel. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Greenup County ordinance on tiny homes, Appendix Q, or RV living was found; this likely defaults to Kentucky's statewide code administered by DHBC, but local application isn't confirmed. Ask the Joint Planning Commission directly.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyKentucky's DHBC sets statewide building code standards, but whether Greenup County's fiscal court runs its own local permitting/inspection or defers entirely to the state isn't confirmed from an official county page. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Greenup County Health Department administers the state onsite wastewater program, including septic installation and inspection. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed, so the state wastewater code would apply. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo county-specific greywater page exists, but the Health Department's environmental office handles this under Kentucky's statewide greywater regulation. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricts rainwater harvesting, so it follows Kentucky's generally permissive statewide approach for non-potable catchment.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Greenup County Health Department oversees private well and drinking water testing, referencing the state's well drilling program and certified labs. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Greenup County page requires grid power or municipal utility hookup for off-grid dwellings, but septic and water approval may function as a practical precondition for habitation permits. Not confirmed specifically for this county.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.5 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,221 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,223 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 24 to Oct 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Saint Mary's Medical Center - Ironton Campus - 2.0 mi
- Fire station
Ironton Fire Department - 1.3 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 1.5 mi
- Grocery
Elena's Manila Asian Market - 0.8 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 41169).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Greenup County, KY?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.