Off-grid site report
Hancock County, KY
37.9506, -86.8267 · 430 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hancock 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 rulesHancock County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyOnly about a third of Hancock County is zoned, per the Hancock Urban Planning Commission administrator; expanding zoning countywide would require Fiscal Court action. Whether your parcel is zoned must be confirmed directly with the Planning Commission. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Hancock County page was found specifying tiny-home or RV occupancy standards beyond the state baseline; confirm with the county Planning & Zoning Administrator.
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedKentucky's statewide building code (KRS 198B) applies, enforced locally where an inspection program exists; Hancock County's Planning & Zoning office is the local point of contact, and electrical permits go through the local authority having jurisdiction. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Hancock County Health Department administers septic permits under the state on-site sewage program; a Licensed Septic Contractor and Licensed Soil Scientist are required parts of the process. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Hancock County-specific greywater ordinance was found; this inherits the Kentucky state baseline under 902 KAR 10:085.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county-specific rule was found; rainwater harvesting for non-potable use is generally allowed under Kentucky's state framework.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedKentucky requires no state permit or fee to drill or abandon a well, but all work must be done by a Kentucky Certified Water Well Driller; groundwater yield varies significantly across Hancock County by location. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Hancock County ordinance requires or prohibits full utility disconnection; this inherits the state's unclear baseline, and unzoned areas of the county likely see less regulatory reach, though that is not officially confirmed.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,348 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 48 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 4 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,148 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 2 to Nov 5
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Perry County Memorial Hospital - 5.3 mi
- Fire station
Tell City Fire Department - 3.4 mi
- Hardware store
Santa Claus Hardware - 12.8 mi
- Grocery
Nobles - 3.4 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 47586).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Hancock 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.