Off-grid site report

Sullivan County, TN

36.5139, -82.5616 · 1,250 ft elevation

Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Sullivan County, TN, 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 rulesSullivan County, TN

Zoning & raw-land occupancy

RestrictedSullivan County has an active Zoning Resolution adopted under Tennessee Code 13-7-101 through 13-7-116, with a Regional Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. Specific rules on informal or temporary raw-land occupancy by district are not confirmed; ask County Planning and Codes. source

Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs

RestrictedThe county enforces the 2018 International Residential Code and Energy Code and requires building permits for nearly all residential structure types, per the county's own list. RV-as-permanent-dwelling and tiny-house-on-wheels treatment are not confirmed in official sources. source

Building permits & codes

RestrictedSullivan County has not opted out of state building code enforcement; permits are required for essentially all residential construction and zoning compliance permits for non-residential and multi-family projects. Confirm any shed/garage exemptions directly with the department. source

Septic & composting toilets

RestrictedSeptic systems fall under TDEC's statewide Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems rules (Chapter 0400-48-01), administered locally, though no county-specific environmental health office page was found. County Planning and Codes confirms septic is a separate required permit track. source

Greywater reuse

Unclear - verifyNo Sullivan County-specific ordinance or guidance on greywater reuse was found; this likely inherits the general state plumbing code baseline, but you should confirm directly with the county or TDEC.

Rainwater harvesting

Generally allowedNo county ordinance restricting rainwater collection was found, and Tennessee has no statewide restriction on rainwater collection or potable use.

Private wells & water rights

Generally allowedPrivate wells are legal under TDEC's statewide Water Wells Act, which requires a licensed driller; no Sullivan County-specific well ordinance was found, though much of the county is served by municipal or utility-district water. source

Living disconnected from utilities

Varies locallyNo countywide mandatory water/sewer hookup rule was found; such requirements, if any, would come from a municipality like Bristol or Kingsport or from a local utility district, not the county government generally. source

Open the full county page with sources →

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: 1,366 kWh

JFMAMJJASOND

Weather1991-2020

Precipitation: 43 in/yr
Snowfall: 9 in/yr
Heating degree days: 4,086 (moderate)
Frost-free season: Apr 16 to Oct 25

How far help isstraight-line

Hospital Holston Valley Medical Center: 2.8 mi
Fire station Kingsport Fire Department #1: 2.1 mi
Hardware store Action Rentals: 3.1 mi
Grocery Food City: 2.2 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 37660).

Size a solar system Heat loss & insulation Firewood per winter Rainwater harvest Garden size Panel tilt

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 21, 2026; agencies update their layers on their own schedules. Planning data, not a survey or legal advice.