Off-grid site report

Madison County, IL

38.9856, -89.7640 · 604 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Madison County, IL, 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 rulesMadison County, IL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnincorporated Madison County has a comprehensive zoning ordinance administered by Planning & Development, with rezonings and variances handled by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Incorporated cities and villages inside the county set their own separate zoning that overrides the county's. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyThe zoning ordinance treats manufactured homes as permanent dwellings but classifies travel trailers/campers as temporary occupancy; no county provision was found authorizing permanent tiny-home or RV residency outside a licensed mobile home park. Confirm with the Zoning Coordinator. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedAny structure 200 square feet or larger requires a county building permit in unincorporated areas; smaller structures are exempt from the permit but still must meet setbacks. Illinois's new statewide building code took effect Jan. 1, 2025, and its interaction with county procedure is not confirmed. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedMadison County Planning & Development permits and inspects private sewage systems under a county ordinance plus state IDPH and federal EPA rules; a minimum 40,000 sq ft lot is required for a system and new parcels generally can't be under one acre. Composting-toilet-only setups are not separately addressed at the county level. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Madison County ordinance or health department page specifically addressing residential greywater reuse was found; ask the county Health Department or Planning & Development for a site-specific answer.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Madison County zoning, building, or health department guidance on residential rainwater catchment was found in official sources reviewed.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Madison County Health Department issues well permits and inspects new wells under locally adopted state well rules, with siting minimums (25 ft from structures, 50 ft minimum from septic) and a required 48-hour notice before drilling. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo county zoning or building provision explicitly bans or authorizes full disconnection from electric or municipal utilities; compliance instead hinges on separately permitting septic, well, and building systems. Confirm any habitable-dwelling hookup expectations with Planning & Development and the Health Department.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average
4.9 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
3.1 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,394 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
41 in/yr
Snowfall
15 in/yr
Heating degree days
4,824 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 9 to Oct 22

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Community Hospital of Staunton
2.5 mi
Fire station
Alhambra Fire Department
7.0 mi
Hardware store
DEE DEES DESIGN
10.2 mi
Grocery
DK's Market
8.0 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 62058).

Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt

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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. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.