Off-grid site report
Henry County, KY
38.4623, -85.3036 · 860 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Henry 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 rulesHenry County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHenry County has adopted its own zoning ordinance administered by the Henry County Planning & Zoning Commission, covering unincorporated areas and coordinating with the county's cities. Which of the eleven districts applies to a given parcel determines what's allowed, so confirm directly with the county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyPermitted and conditional uses are set per zoning district under the county ordinance; uses not clearly listed (like a tiny home on wheels used as a residence) get decided case-by-case by the Administrative Official or Board of Adjustments. Manufactured home communities are separately licensed by the state under KRS 219.340-.410. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedKentucky's residential code is administered statewide by the Dept. of Housing, Buildings and Construction, but enforcement for one- and two-family homes happens locally; Henry County requires building permits to conform to its zoning ordinance before issuance. source
Septic & composting toilets
Unclear - verifySeptic systems are regulated statewide under 902 KAR Chapter 10 by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, with local health departments issuing permits, but I could not confirm which health department has jurisdiction over Henry County, Kentucky specifically. Call the county to confirm before assuming a neighboring district applies. source
Greywater reuse
Varies locallyNo Henry County-specific greywater rule was found; this falls back to the state standard under 902 KAR 10:085, which sets setback and diversion requirements rather than requiring a full septic permit.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Henry County or Kentucky state rule was found restricting non-potable rainwater collection.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedKentucky does not require a permit to construct or abandon a well statewide, but the work must be done by a Kentucky-certified well driller; no Henry County-specific well authority was confirmed.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo confirmed Henry County ordinance requires hookup to grid power, water, or sewer. The zoning ordinance's purpose clause references 'adequate provisions' for water and sewage as a planning goal, but that isn't the same as a confirmed mandatory-connection rule. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,300 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 50 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 14 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,923 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 17 to Oct 21
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Baptist Health La Grange - 6.1 mi
- Fire station
Bedford Fire and Rescue - 9.1 mi
- Hardware store
Watts Home Center - 7.6 mi
- Grocery
Kroger - 5.9 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 40055).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Henry 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.