Off-grid site report
Harrison County, KY
38.5506, -84.3941 · 709 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Harrison 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 rulesHarrison County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHarrison County has no separate county zoning office; land use is governed jointly by the Cynthiana-Harrison County-Berry Joint Planning Commission under KRS Chapter 100. Full ordinance text wasn't available online, so specific parcel rules need to be confirmed with the Commission. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Harrison County source addresses tiny homes, minimum square footage, or RV occupancy specifically. This would likely fall under the Joint Planning Commission's zoning ordinance; confirm directly with them.
Building permits & codes
RestrictedHarrison County has a designated local building inspector on file with the state Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, meaning the county enforces the Kentucky Building Code under KRS 198B.060 and 815 KAR 7:070 rather than leaving it unenforced. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are regulated statewide under 902 KAR Chapter 10 (Kentucky Department for Public Health), with permits and inspections issued locally by the Harrison County Health Department (WEDCO District). Composting toilets are not separately addressed and should be confirmed with the health department. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Harrison County-specific greywater rule was found; the county appears to follow the same state regulation, 902 KAR 10:085, that governs septic systems generally.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo official Harrison County document restricts rainwater catchment for non-potable use; this follows the general state baseline.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Harrison County-specific well ordinance was found. The state baseline (licensed well driller, no separate state construction permit) appears to apply, but this isn't independently confirmed at the county level.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Harrison County zoning or building-code document explicitly addresses off-grid power or water disconnection. Since the county enforces the building code, any requirement would likely surface during the permitting process, but this is inference, not a confirmed rule.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.0 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,300 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 10 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,940 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 20 to Oct 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Saint Elizabeth Grant Hospital - 11.9 mi
- Fire station
Berry Fire Department - 2.1 mi
- Hardware store
Barnes Hardware and Lumber - 8.7 mi
- Grocery
Dollar General Market - 8.6 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 41003).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Harrison 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.