Off-grid site report
Vermillion County, IN
39.9679, -87.4535 · 532 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Vermillion County, IN, 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 rulesVermillion County, IN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyThe county's Area Plan Commission adopted a Unified Development Ordinance covering all unincorporated land plus the City of Clinton; Newport has its own code. District-specific rules on raw-land occupancy weren't confirmed in the excerpt reviewed. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Vermillion County page spells out tiny-home or RV-as-dwelling standards; contact the county zoning office directly to confirm.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding permits are issued through the county's Planning and Building Office, and a septic permit from the Health Department must be obtained first, before the construction permit. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Vermillion County Health Department enforces its own amended on-site sewage ordinance on top of the state rule (410 IAC 6-8.3), including renewal requirements for holding-tank operating permits. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Vermillion County greywater ordinance or guidance was found; ask the Health Department's environmental health section since the state baseline is also unclear.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting residential rainwater harvesting was found; county stormwater materials address development drainage, not rain catchment. source
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedWells are regulated under statewide Indiana DNR well-driller licensing rather than a distinct county ordinance; DNR maintains aquifer maps specific to Vermillion County. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Generally allowedNo official Vermillion County page mandates hookup to public electric, water, or sewer; however, an approved sewage disposal method is still required before a building permit is issued. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,337 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 39 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 19 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,668 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 23 to Oct 11
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Union Hospital Clinton - 21.9 mi
- Fire station
Westville Area Fire Protection - 11.2 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 17.6 mi
- Grocery
Ruler Foods - 13.8 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 47928).
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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.