Off-grid site report
Graves County, KY
36.7474, -88.6501 · 509 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Graves 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 rulesGraves County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyGraves County has no countywide zoning ordinance per the Fiscal Court; unincorporated land isn't subject to county zoning. Mayfield (and possibly Wingo) have their own zoning ordinances and planning commissions. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Graves County ordinance on tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling standards for unincorporated land was confirmed; likely falls back to the state baseline unless the county has opted into state building permit rules. Ask the Fiscal Court to confirm.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo confirmed county building-permit office for unincorporated Graves County; Mayfield runs its own building and code enforcement office for property inside city limits.
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are regulated under Kentucky's state administrative regulations (902 KAR Chapter 10) and permitted locally through the Graves County Health Department; homeowners can self-install without certification but still need a homeowner's permit. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Graves County-specific greywater ordinance was found; state rules under 902 KAR 10:085 likely apply through the same health department channel as septic, but this isn't confirmed locally.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo Graves County ordinance restricts non-potable rainwater collection, and Kentucky has no dedicated state permit scheme for it either.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Graves County-specific well permit or fee was found beyond the state's certified well driller program; not confirmed whether the county health department adds any local step.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Graves County ordinance mandating connection to grid power, water, or sewer was found for unincorporated land, but this is an absence of evidence rather than a confirmed right. Mayfield, with its own municipal utility, may have separate rules inside city limits.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,437 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 49 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 9 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 3,784 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 7 to Oct 29
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Jackson Purchase Medical Center - 0.8 mi
- Fire station
Mayfield Fire Department and Mayfield-Graves County Emergency Medical Service St - 0.4 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 2.3 mi
- Grocery
Save-A-Lot - 0.9 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 42066).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Graves 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.