Off-grid site report
Macon County, IL
39.9171, -88.9540 · 666 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Macon 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 rulesMacon County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyMacon County Planning & Zoning administers a Chapter 155 zoning ordinance for unincorporated areas only; incorporated towns like Decatur or Mt. Zion enforce their own separate zoning. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyRules on manufactured homes, RV residency, and tiny-home minimum size are not clearly published by the county; the official code exists but specifics weren't confirmed, so ask Planning & Zoning directly. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county Planning & Zoning Department requires permits and enforces the International Building Code for construction in unincorporated areas; Illinois's new statewide code may also apply, so confirm current adoption status. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Macon County Health Department issues septic permits under the county's Private Sewage Disposal ordinance, backed by state IDPH rules; composting toilets aren't specifically addressed locally, so confirm with the Health Department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Macon County or IDPH page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; it's likely covered under the general wastewater discharge ordinance, so check with the Health Department's Environmental Health division.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official county or state rule specifically authorizing or restricting residential rainwater harvesting was found; cross-connection concerns would fall under Health Department plumbing oversight if tied to a household system.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Macon County Health Department reviews plans and issues permits for private wells and oversees proper sealing of abandoned wells, consistent with statewide IDPH well permitting requirements.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo standalone county ordinance addresses full grid disconnection; occupancy is governed indirectly through approved well and septic permits, so confirm with Planning & Zoning and the Health Department about any hidden utility expectations for occupancy. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.1 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,395 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 40 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 16 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,284 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 16 to Oct 18
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Decatur Memorial Hospital - 3.4 mi
- Fire station
Decatur Fire Department Station 5 - 2.5 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 0.3 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 1.2 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 62535).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Macon County, IL?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.