Off-grid site report
Metcalfe County, KY
36.9784, -85.6122 · 863 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Metcalfe County, KY, 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 rulesMetcalfe County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Unclear - verifyNo Metcalfe County planning commission or zoning ordinance was found; Kentucky's KRS Chapter 100 makes county zoning optional, and Metcalfe's status is not confirmed. Any zoning likely applies only inside Edmonton city limits. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyThe state Kentucky Residential Code applies statewide per DHBC, but no local Metcalfe County building department was found, so it's unclear whether permitting is enforced locally or defaults to the state. source
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo official Metcalfe County building department page was found; if none exists, the state Division of Building Codes Enforcement handles plan review per state rules. Confirm directly with the Fiscal Court and DHBC. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Barren River District Health Department administers onsite sewage permitting for Metcalfe County under state regulations (902 KAR Chapter 10), including soil evaluation and plan review. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Metcalfe-specific greywater rule was found; greywater reuse is governed by the state baseline under 902 KAR 10:085, administered by the Barren River District Health Department for onsite sewage generally.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Metcalfe County ordinance addressing rainwater catchment was found, so it inherits the generally permissive state baseline.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo state permit is required for private wells, but a certified well driller must be used; the Barren River District Health Department can address wells that become sanitation nuisances under state law (KRS 212.210). source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Metcalfe County ordinance requiring utility hookups or barring off-grid living was found; combined with the apparent lack of a local building department, off-grid living may be unregulated in practice, but this is not officially confirmed. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,356 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 49 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 8 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,354 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
T.J. Samson Community Hospital - 16.3 mi
- Fire station
Metcalfe County Fire Department - 1.6 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 0.9 mi
- Grocery
Metcalfe County Farmer's Market - 0.2 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 42129).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Metcalfe County, KY?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.