Off-grid site report
Hickman County, KY
36.6673, -88.9934 · 367 ft elevationRead this before you act on anything below. This is my researched starting point for Hickman 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 rulesHickman County, KY
Zoning & raw-land occupancy
Varies locallyHickman County has a Planning Commission and existing districts (reportedly A-1 agricultural and R-1 residential per a news report on a commission meeting), and a new countywide land-use plan was under discussion. The county's own ordinance text wasn't found online, so exact lot-size rules are not confirmed; check with the Fiscal Court or Planning Commission. source
Dwellings, tiny homes & RVs
Unclear - verifyNo Hickman County rule on tiny homes, Appendix Q, or RV occupancy was found. Kentucky's statewide building code (KRS 198B.060) applies, but local permitting triggers aren't confirmed; ask the county directly.
Building permits & codes
Unclear - verifyHickman County likely has some permitting process, but no official county page describing procedures, fees, or owner-builder exemptions was found. The Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction sets the statewide code a local office would enforce.
Septic & composting toilets
Generally allowedSeptic systems, including composting/non-water-carriage alternatives, are permitted through the Purchase District Health Department under state rule 902 KAR 10:110, which requires a certified inspector and installer/homeowner and a permit that expires a year after issuance unless renewed. source
Greywater reuse
Generally allowedNo Hickman County-specific greywater ordinance was found; greywater reuse is governed by the state's 902 KAR 10:085 rule, enforced locally by Purchase District Health Department environmental staff. source
Rainwater harvesting
Generally allowedNo county or state rule was found restricting rainwater collection for non-potable use in Hickman County.
Private wells & water rights
Generally allowedNo Hickman County ordinance adds requirements beyond Kentucky's statewide certified well-driller program; the local health department is involved where wells and septic systems interact on a site.
Living disconnected from utilities
Unclear - verifyNo Hickman County ordinance requiring grid power or municipal water/sewer hookup was found, and much of the county sits in a lightly regulated A-1 agricultural district, but this hasn't been confirmed against the county's own code text.
Sun30-year normals
- Peak-sun hours, annual average
- 5.0 hrs/day
- Worst month (sizes an off-grid array)
- 3.7 hrs/day
- Yearly output per 1 kW of panels
- 1,432 kWh
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Weather1991-2020
- Precipitation
- 54 in/yr
- Snowfall
- 9 in/yr
- Heating degree days
- 4,062 (moderate)
- Frost-free season
- Apr 10 to Oct 23
How far help isstraight-line
- Hospital
Baptist Memorial Hospital - Union City - 17.7 mi
- Fire station
Fulton City Fire Department - 12.6 mi
- Hardware store
Builders Supply of South Fulton Inc - 13.3 mi
- Grocery
Walmart Supercenter - 11.6 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 42031).
Size a solar systemHeat loss & insulationFirewood per winterRainwater harvestGarden sizePanel tilt
Looking at a specific parcel in Hickman 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.