Off-grid site report

Cocke County, TN

35.9638, -83.1967 · 1,125 ft elevation
Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Cocke 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 rulesCocke County, TN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedCocke County adopted a countywide zoning resolution under Tennessee's Title 13 zoning enabling statutes, creating districts including an A-1 agricultural zone with lot-size and use rules, administered by the Cocke County Regional Planning Commission and Building Commissioner. This is a real change from many rural TN counties with no zoning at all. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyTiny home parks and RV parks are specifically defined and regulated in the county zoning resolution, requiring a Tennessee Modular Building Label for units in parks. A single tiny home on its own lot appears to fall under general zoning/site plan review, but whether IRC Appendix Q applies locally is not confirmed, so ask the Zoning Department.
Building permits & codes
Varies locallyThe Cocke County zoning department's own page states no building permit or certificate of occupancy is currently required for construction, but a floodplain Development Permit and other zoning approvals are still required before building or using property, and setbacks are enforced. source
Septic & composting toilets
RestrictedNo Cocke County exemption was found; septic systems follow the statewide TDEC On-Site Sewage Program, with permits administered locally through the Cocke County Health Department's Environmental Health division. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Cocke County-specific ordinance or health department guidance on greywater reuse was found; it would presumably follow the state plumbing code framework via TDH/TDEC, but local implementation is not confirmed, so ask the Cocke County Health Department. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Cocke County ordinance restricting rainwater harvesting was found in the zoning resolution or on the county site, so the unrestricted state baseline applies.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedCocke County has no separate well permitting agency; private wells fall under the statewide Tennessee Water Well Act framework tracked by TDEC's Division of Water Resources. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Varies locallyNo Cocke County ordinance was found requiring connection to electric, water, or sewer utilities, and since there's no building permit requirement, there's likely no local hookup mandate, but a permitted septic or equivalent wastewater system is still required by the state for any habitable structure. source

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)
3.7 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
1,352 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation
44 in/yr
Snowfall
5 in/yr
Heating degree days
3,912 (moderate)
Frost-free season
Apr 14 to Oct 26

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital
Newport Medical Center
0.8 mi
Fire station
Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department
10.0 mi
Hardware store
Ace Hardware
0.3 mi
Grocery
Price Less Foods
0.3 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 37822).

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