Off-grid site report
Simpson County, KY
36.6967, -86.5708 · 719 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Simpson 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 rulesSimpson County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedSimpson County adopted its first countywide zoning code in 2026 via emergency ordinance, creating a joint Planning & Zoning Commission with the City of Franklin. Residential uses, including RV and off-grid dwellings, must be a listed permitted use in the applicable zoning district (e.g., AG or RV zones). source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyTiny homes and RVs used as dwellings are restricted to zoning districts where residential use is listed as permitted; the county also enforces a property maintenance/nuisance ordinance against unsafe structures. Specific size or foundation standards beyond the state's adopted building code are not confirmed for this county. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedSimpson County actively enforces building permits and inspections through a Chief Building Official and an online permitting portal, unlike counties that have opted out under state law. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are administered by the Barren River District Health Department, which performs soil evaluations and reviews plans before issuing permits under the state's onsite sewage framework. Composting toilets are not separately addressed in county-specific sources found. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Simpson County-specific greywater rule was found; the state's greywater regulations apply as the default framework, with their own setback and diversion requirements separate from septic.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county restriction on rainwater harvesting for non-potable use was found; the state baseline allows collection, with plumbing code review triggered only if tied into household potable plumbing.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Simpson County-specific well permit or fee was found; the state's certified well driller requirement applies, and well siting relative to septic is reviewed by the health department during site evaluation. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo explicit Simpson County rule requiring or prohibiting grid disconnection was found, but active zoning, building permit enforcement, and a nuisance ordinance mean an off-grid setup could still face scrutiny. Confirm directly with the county. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.9 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.5 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,380 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 53 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 3 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,052 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 5 to Nov 2
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
The Medical Center at Franklin - 0.4 mi
- Fire station
Stony Point Volunteer Fire Department - 11.5 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 0.1 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 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 42135).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Simpson 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.