Off-grid site report

Warren County, TN

35.6863, -85.7531 · 938 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Warren 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 rulesWarren County, TN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedWarren County has an adopted Joint Zoning Ordinance with an Agricultural district that generally limits land to one principal residence, administered by the Warren County Regional Planning Commission. This is a county-level rule, not a state default. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyThe zoning ordinance requires residential units to be permanently affixed to the ground and properly permitted, suggesting tiny homes on wheels or RVs used as residences may be restricted, but no explicit rule was found. Confirm with the Regional Planning Commission.

Building permits & codes

RestrictedWarren County enforces the 2012 International Residential Code with local amendments and the 2009 IECC through its Building & Environmental Codes Department; the county has not opted out of building permits. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedA state septic construction permit through TDEC's Division of Water Resources is required before installing or modifying a septic system; no county exemption for composting toilets or dry cabins was found. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Warren County-specific greywater ordinance was found; it would fall under the general state plumbing code framework. Ask the county Building & Environmental Codes Department how this is applied locally.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county or state restriction on rainwater collection was found; any tie-in to household plumbing would go through county building permitting.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedWells fall under state law requiring a licensed well driller, with no additional Warren County ordinance found; well location must be shown on septic permit site sketches.

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo rule requiring grid-electric hookup was found. Water and sewer connections are more involved, generally requiring a structure permit and, if on-site septic, a septic permit as well; confirm exact process with the county office. 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: 1,350 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 51 in/yr
Snowfall: 5 in/yr
Heating degree days: 3,417 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 10 to Oct 27

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Saint Thomas River Park Hospital: 1.1 mi
Fire station: none within range
Hardware store Pioneer Building Supply: 2.0 mi
Grocery Kroger: 0.6 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 37110).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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.