Off-grid site report
McCracken County, KY
37.0743, -88.6880 · 384 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for McCracken 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 rulesMcCracken County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
RestrictedMcCracken County has adopted countywide zoning (Chapter 150 of its Code of Ordinances), administered by the county Planning and Zoning department under state authority (KRS 100). Land use depends on the zone classification on the official map. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Varies locallyRVs and alternative dwellings are addressed in a 2022 zoning amendment creating a Recreational Vehicle Community category, allowed conditionally in the Agricultural District; placement depends on zone and use category, and specific size/duration limits were not confirmed. source
Building permits & codes
Generally allowedThe county's Inspection Department enforces its own building code (Chapter 70) within the state framework set by Kentucky's Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, and issues permits online via Cloudpermit. source
Septic & composting toilets
Unclear - verifyNo McCracken County-specific health department page on septic permitting was found; the state rule (902 KAR Chapter 10) is the presumed baseline, administered through a local health department. Not confirmed whether McCracken County adds local requirements, call the local health department to check. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance or health department page on greywater was found. State rule 902 KAR 10:085 is the presumed baseline; local supplement is not confirmed.
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo McCracken County restriction on rainwater harvesting was found in official sources reviewed; the state baseline of no dedicated permit scheme for non-potable use appears to apply.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo McCracken County-specific ordinance on private well construction was found; the state's certified-well-driller standard appears to be the operative rule, with no confirmed county permit or fee. Paducah Water is a hookup utility, not a well-permitting authority.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo ordinance was found requiring connection to grid power, water, or sewer in McCracken County, but given the county's active zoning and building code, occupancy approval could functionally require an approved sewage method; this is not confirmed by a specific ordinance section.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.3 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,407 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 48 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 5 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,502 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 11 to Oct 22
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Lourdes Hospital - 2.8 mi
- Fire station
Fire Station #3 - 0.8 mi
- Hardware store
The Home Depot - 0.2 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 42001).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in McCracken 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.