Off-grid site report
Macoupin County, IL
39.2134, -89.9573 · 568 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Macoupin 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 rulesMacoupin County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyUnincorporated Macoupin County has no zoning code or zoning department, per the county's own licenses/permits page. If a parcel is inside an incorporated city or village (e.g. Staunton), that municipality's zoning applies instead. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Macoupin County page specifies minimum dwelling size, tiny-home standards, or RV residency rules. Since the county has no zoning, any such rule would likely come from an incorporated municipality; confirm directly with the relevant office.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedThere is no comprehensive countywide building code confirmed, but a county permit is required in unincorporated Macoupin County for new construction that requires a septic system, handled via the County Clerk's office/GIS Manager. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Macoupin County Public Health Department requires a Private Septic System Permit and licenses septic contractors countywide, with an exception when public sewer is available; a licensed contractor typically files the paperwork.
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Macoupin County or MCPHD page specifically addresses residential greywater reuse; confirm with the county Health Department's Environmental Services division since it's often folded into septic rules.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo official county ordinance or health department page was found specifically authorizing or regulating residential rainwater harvesting.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Macoupin County Public Health Department requires permits for new water wells, geothermal wells, and well sealing countywide, administered under the state Water Well Construction Code.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Macoupin County ordinance was found requiring connection to electric or municipal water/sewer for unincorporated parcels, but incorporated municipalities may set their own rules not covered by the county.
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
- 1,408 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 39 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 16 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,403 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 16 to Oct 15
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Carlinville Area Hospital - 7.1 mi
- Fire station
Bunker Hill Fire Protection District, Company #2 - Shipman Volunteer Fire Depart - 8.0 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 6.2 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 5.1 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 62685).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Macoupin 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.