Off-grid site report
McLean County, KY
37.4873, -87.1351 · 404 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McLean 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 rulesMcLean County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedMcLean County has adopted Chapter 153: Zoning, administered by the McLean County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission; some cities like Livermore and Calhoun issue their own permits. This is not a no-zoning county. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedBecause the county has adopted zoning and building permits, the state's no-permit exemption doesn't apply; tiny homes on foundations likely need to meet the adopted residential code, and tiny homes on wheels are likely treated as RVs, though exact placement rules aren't confirmed. Confirm with the Planning and Zoning Commission. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedMcLean County requires building permits through its Planning and Zoning Commission, and Chapter 153 of the county code sets out permit administration and enforcement. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are permitted under the state framework (902 KAR Chapter 10), administered locally for McLean County by the Green River District Health Department rather than a standalone county health department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo McLean-specific greywater ordinance was found; it appears to default to the state rule (902 KAR 10:085) administered by the Green River District Health Department. Not confirmed at the county level. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo McLean County rule was found restricting rainwater collection for non-potable use; this appears to follow the general state approach, with plumbing code cross-connection rules applying if tied into potable systems.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells fall under Kentucky's Certified Well Driller program through the state Division of Water; no separate McLean County well permit or fee was confirmed. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo McLean County ordinance was found explicitly permitting or prohibiting full disconnection from electric grid or municipal water/sewer; since the county has zoning districts with development standards, ask the Planning and Zoning Commission directly for your parcel's district requirements. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.2 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,360 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 44 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 4 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,371 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Ohio County Healthcare - 13.4 mi
- Fire station
Livermore Fire Department - 0.1 mi
- Hardware store
Hartford Building Supply - 12.9 mi
- Grocery
IGA - 13.4 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 42352).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in McLean 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.