Off-grid site report

Union County, TN

36.1828, -83.8984 · 997 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Union County, TN, 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 rulesUnion County, TN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Varies locallyUnion County's Planning Commission administers zoning and subdivision regulations, but whether raw land can simply be occupied without a permanent structure is not confirmed. Ask the county zoning coordinator directly. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo Union County-specific rule on tiny homes or RV occupancy was found; the state baseline (2018 IRC with Appendix Q, RVs treated as recreational not permanent dwellings) likely applies but is not confirmed locally.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedUnion County requires building permits, purchased in person at the Assessor of Property's office (not online). Whether the county enforces the state residential code program or has opted out is not confirmed; check with the state Fire Marshal's Codes Enforcement Section. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedTennessee septic systems are permitted through TDEC (state), typically processed via a county environmental health office, but Union County's own environmental health page could not be found. Confirm whether applications are still handled locally or via TDEC's statewide portal. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Union County-specific greywater rule was found; the state baseline generally allows subsurface irrigation with holding tank and filtration, with inconsistent enforcement statewide.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo Union County restriction was found; rainwater harvesting follows Tennessee's generally permissive state baseline.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells fall under Tennessee's Water Well Act and require a licensed driller; no Union County-specific well ordinance was found.

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyMost of Union County is unincorporated, which reduces the likelihood of mandatory utility hookup rules, but this isn't confirmed, and towns within the county (Maynardville, Luttrell, Plainview) may set their own municipal utility rules.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 5.0 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 3.5 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,352 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 54 in/yr
Snowfall: 4 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,339 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 19 to Oct 24

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center: 15.7 mi
Fire station Maynardville Fire Department: 6.4 mi
Hardware store 33 Hardware LLC: 7.0 mi
Grocery Ingles: 7.1 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 37807).

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.