Off-grid site report
Carroll County, IL
41.9585, -90.1010 · 607 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Carroll 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 rulesCarroll County, IL
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyCarroll County runs its own zoning ordinance for unincorporated land, and agricultural-district building triggers a LESA review, but zoning authority stops at any town's city limits, where the municipality's own rules take over. Confirm which jurisdiction applies with the Carroll County Zoning Department. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyI couldn't find an explicit county rule on minimum dwelling size, tiny homes, or RV residency. The county says there's currently no occupancy certificate requirement for residential structures, but that's not the same as a clear yes on tiny homes or RV living, so ask the Carroll County Zoning & Building Department directly. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedCarroll County requires building permits under its own building regulations chapter, alongside notices that the county follows the Illinois Residential Building Code Act and a separate commercial/business code for public-building occupancy. There are posted fee tiers by square footage, but confirm current numbers with the Zoning & Building Department rather than relying on any figure here. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Carroll County Health Department's Environmental Health division issues septic permits and handles percolation tests as part of its private sewage disposal oversight. Composting toilets aren't separately addressed on the county's page, so that would default to state IDPH rules, worth confirming with the Health Department. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county page specifically addresses greywater reuse. It would likely fall under the Health Department's private sewage disposal oversight, but you should ask them directly since nothing explicit is published.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Carroll County ordinance or Health Department guidance on rainwater harvesting was found in my research. Best to call the county Zoning Department or Health Department to ask before you build a catchment system.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedThe Carroll County Health Department issues permits for all new wells, requiring installation in accordance with county code and the Illinois Water Well Construction Code, including rules for sealing abandoned wells. Fees apply but I don't have exact figures, so confirm with the Health Department.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyI found no distinct county policy requiring a home to be hooked up to utilities. The absence of a residential occupancy certificate requirement hints that full grid disconnection might not be separately barred, but that's my inference, not a stated rule, so confirm with the Zoning & Building Department before counting on it. source
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.6 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,338 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 34 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 6,449 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 16 to Oct 21
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center - 8.1 mi
- Fire station
Thomson Fire/EMS - 0.1 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 9.6 mi
- Grocery
Jewel-Osco - 8.1 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 61285).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Carroll 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.