Off-grid site report
Ohio County, KY
37.4281, -86.8806 · 433 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Ohio 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 rulesOhio County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyNo countywide zoning ordinance was found for unincorporated Ohio County; zoning exists only inside Hartford and Beaver Dam via a joint planning commission. Rural land likely defaults to Fiscal Court authority under state law, but this isn't directly confirmed. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Ohio County page addresses tiny homes, RVs, or minimum dwelling size. State building code enforcement (KRS 198B.060) only applies where locally adopted, and no adoption was confirmed here.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyNo Ohio County building permit office or code enforcement page was found. The state directs residents to local offices, but Ohio County's confirmed planning office covers only Hartford and Beaver Dam. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Green River District Health Department, through the Ohio County Health Center, administers Kentucky's statewide onsite sewage program, requiring a site evaluation and permit before installation. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Ohio County or health district page specifically addresses greywater apart from septic; state rule 902 KAR 10:085 would be the fallback.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found; Kentucky generally allows non-potable rainwater harvesting statewide.
Private wells & water rights
Unclear - verifyNo Ohio County well-permitting office was confirmed. Statewide, Kentucky requires using a Certified Well Driller but has no state well permit or fee.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Ohio County ordinance requiring grid power or municipal water/sewer hookup was found, consistent with the absence of a countywide building code.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.8 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.4 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,358 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 50 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 12 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,436 (moderate)
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Ohio County Healthcare - 1.7 mi
- Fire station
McHenry Fire Department - 4.0 mi
- Hardware store
Ace Hardware - 1.5 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 42320).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Ohio 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.