Off-grid site report
Johnson County, IN
39.6333, -86.0819Read this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Johnson 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 rulesJohnson County, IN
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyJohnson County's Unified Development Ordinance (2024) governs zoning in unincorporated areas via the Department of Planning and Zoning; incorporated towns within the county set their own separate zoning rules. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo official Johnson County document specifying minimum dwelling size, tiny-home classification, or RV-as-residence rules was found; confirm directly with Planning & Zoning. State law does limit how counties can restrict compliant manufactured homes. source
Building permits & codes
RestrictedBuilding permits are required in unincorporated Johnson County, enforced by the Planning and Zoning Director under the state-adopted building code; permits also required for advanced structural components and window replacements under energy code rules. source
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedThe Johnson County Health Department's Environmental Division permits and inspects septic systems, including alternative technologies; a 2024 state law change now allows holding tanks and limited a county's onsite sewage ordinance to only what's approved by the state's Technical Review Panel. source
Greywater reuse
Unclear - verifyNo Johnson County ordinance or health department page specifically addresses greywater reuse; ask the Environmental Division how it fits under the county's onsite sewage ordinance.
Rainwater harvesting
Unclear - verifyNo county-specific ordinance addressing rainwater harvesting or cisterns was found; not confirmed as restricted or permitted at the county level.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedPrivate wells are permitted, with drillers licensed by the state under Indiana Code 25-39, and the county Health Department runs wellhead protection and setback enforcement; whether a separate county well-construction permit is required beyond the state license was not confirmed, so ask the Health Department directly. source
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo countywide ordinance mandating connection to public utilities was found for unincorporated Johnson County; individual towns within the county may have their own hookup requirements.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 4.7 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 2.9 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,347 kWh
JFMAMJJASOND
Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 43 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 13 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 5,776 (cold)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 19 to Oct 20
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Peyton Manning Children's Hospital At St. Vincent - 19.9 mi
- Fire station
Perry Township Fire Station 663 - 1.4 mi
- Hardware store
Lowe's - 2.0 mi
- Grocery
Cherry Asian Grocery - 1.1 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 46237).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Johnson 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.