Off-grid site report

Vermilion County, IL

40.2018, -87.6296 · 689 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Vermilion 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 rulesVermilion County, IL

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

Unclear - verifyNo comprehensive countywide zoning ordinance was found on the county's official site; only a Solar and Wind siting ordinance is confirmed. A planning/zoning function for unincorporated areas is referenced but not documented in detail. Incorporated towns like Danville have their own separate codes. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance on minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV residency was found; not confirmed at county level.

Building permits & codes

Unclear - verifyA county Planning/Building office appears to exist, but its permitting requirements and adopted code edition are not confirmed on an official Vermilion County, IL page. source

Septic & composting toilets

Generally allowedThe Vermilion County Health Department issues private sewage disposal permits under Illinois Department of Public Health's Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code; a permit is required before construction. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo county or state rule specifically addresses greywater reuse separate from full septic discharge; confirm directly with the county Health Department's Environmental Health Division.

Rainwater harvesting

Unclear - verifyNo county or state page was found permitting or regulating residential rainwater harvesting; treat as unaddressed rather than prohibited.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedThe county Health Department's Potable Water Program issues well permits, including closed-loop geothermal wells, following Illinois Department of Public Health well construction and pump installation codes; work must be done by a licensed contractor under state law. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Unclear - verifyNo ordinance was found explicitly restricting disconnection from grid power or municipal water/sewer for unincorporated county properties; municipal codes may differ if inside town limits.

Open the full county page with sources →

Sun30-year normals

Peak-sun hours, annual average: 4.7 hrs/day
Worst month (sizes an off-grid array): 2.9 hrs/day
Yearly output per 1 kW of panels: 1,356 kWh

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Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 42 in/yr
Snowfall: 18 in/yr
Heating degree days: 5,458 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 22 to Oct 17

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital: 17.8 mi
Fire station Danville Fire Station Number 4: 5.1 mi
Hardware store Menards: 0.4 mi
Grocery Walmart Supercenter: 0.1 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 61834).

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 22, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.