Off-grid site report
Tazewell County, IL
40.4845, -89.3326 · 659 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Tazewell 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 rulesTazewell County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyTazewell County has countywide zoning (Title XV, Ch. 157) administered by Community Development, with districts like A-1, A-2, and Conservation; nearby municipalities can claim extra-territorial jurisdiction within 1.5 miles of their boundary. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
RestrictedCounty zoning treats RVs as temporary/seasonal uses only, capping guest RV occupancy at 60 days a year; permanent RV living isn't permitted, and no minimum tiny-home size was confirmed, so ask Community Development. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedTazewell County requires a building permit through Community Development, including Illinois Energy Conservation Code compliance and proof of septic approval or sanitary district connection. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Tazewell County Health Department issues septic permits under IDPH standards, requiring a soil investigation before approval. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Tazewell-specific greywater ordinance was found; this falls under the state Illinois Plumbing Code (IDPH) baseline, so check with the County Health Department for case-specific guidance.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on rainwater harvesting was found; it defaults to the state Illinois Plumbing Code framework under IDPH, not confirmed for Tazewell specifically.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Tazewell County Health Department permits all well construction, repair, and pump installation, and requires owners to keep wells in safe condition; confirm the current permit fee directly with the department. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit county ban on off-grid electrical disconnection was found, but building permits indirectly require an approved septic system or sanitary district hookup, so full off-grid water/sewage independence is constrained in practice. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,403 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 39 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,948 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 20 to Oct 16
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Hopedale Medical Complex - 6.4 mi
- Fire station
Tremont Fire Department - 8.8 mi
- Hardware store
Litwiller Machine & Supply - 9.0 mi
- Grocery
Kroger - 11.8 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 61759).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Tazewell 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.