Off-grid site report
Hancock County, IN
39.8120, -85.7687Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hancock County, IN, 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 rulesHancock County, IN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHancock County has no single countywide zoning code; the Area Plan Commission regulates unincorporated areas plus Spring Lake and Shirley, while Greenfield, McCordsville, Cumberland, New Palestine, and Wilkinson set their own zoning. An Improvement Location Permit is required for buildings in the county's jurisdiction. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyGeneral residential permitting applies and Indiana's statewide residential code sets a baseline, but no official Hancock County page spells out tiny-home size/occupancy rules or RV-as-dwelling policy. Confirm specifics with the Planning Department. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedAn Improvement Location Permit and building permit are required through the county Planning and Building Departments, and a septic permit must be obtained before the building permit is issued. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems are required and permitted through the Hancock County Health Department under state Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 and the county's own Chapter 50 sewage ordinance; a licensed contractor and soil scientist are required. Composting toilets are not addressed on any official county page. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo official Hancock County page addresses greywater reuse separately from septic rules; it likely falls under the same sewage disposal chapter, but this is not confirmed as distinct policy. Ask the Health Department.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo Hancock County ordinance or health department page addresses rainwater harvesting directly; the state baseline of no prohibition appears to apply, but this is not confirmed at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted through the Hancock County Health Department, with drillers and pump installers licensed at the state level by Indiana DNR under Indiana Code 25-39 and Rule 312 IAC 13. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo official Hancock County ordinance was found requiring hookup to public electric, water, or sewer utilities; a septic permit is still mandatory if there is no public sewer connection.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.8 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,350 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 46 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 19 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,764 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 18 to Oct 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Peyton Manning Children's Hospital At St. Vincent - 23.6 mi
- Fire station
Charlottesville Volunteer Fire Department - 8.5 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 13.0 mi
- Grocery
ALDI - 0.2 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 46129).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Hancock County, IN?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.