Rainwater Harvesting: Menifee vs Riverside
How do rainwater harvesting rules compare between Menifee, CA and Riverside, CA?
Menifee and Riverside have similar restriction levels.
Menifee, CA
Riverside County
Menifee Municipal Code Ch. 15.04 (Landscape Water Use Efficiency) explicitly encourages onsite stormwater capture and graywater reuse for landscape irrigation. Graywater installations must comply with the California Plumbing Code (CPC Chapter 16A). State law — the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750, Cal. Water Code §10574) — permits rooftop rainwater harvesting without a water-rights permit. EMWD offers graywater 3-way diverter-valve rebates (up to $50) for laundry-to-landscape systems serving Menifee customers. The City requires a building permit only when rainwater storage tanks exceed thresholds in the California Plumbing/Building Code (typically tanks ≥5,000 gallons or pressurized systems tied to potable supply).
View full Menifee rules →Riverside, CA
Riverside County
Rainwater harvesting from rooftop runoff is fully legal in California under the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code §10573) and is actively encouraged by Riverside Public Utilities (RPU). RPU partners with Metropolitan Water District's SoCal Water$mart program to offer rebates for rain barrels and cisterns.
View full Riverside rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Menifee | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Rainwater capture | Allowed under Cal. Water Code §10574 (AB 1750) | - |
| L2L graywater permit | Not required (CPC §1503.1.1) if non-pressurized | - |
| Multi-fixture graywater | Plumbing permit required | - |
| EMWD rebate | Up to $50 for 3-way diverter valve | - |
| Mosquito control | Tanks must be screened (HSC §2270) | - |
| State authority | - | Cal. Water Code §10573 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, AB 1750) |
| City restrictions | - | None — no City ordinance restricts residential rooftop capture |
| Permit threshold | - | Tanks >100 gal or plumbed-in: building permit required (CPC Ch. 17) |
| RPU rebate (rain barrel) | - | $35/barrel, up to 2 barrels (via SoCal Water$mart) |
| Regional rebate | - | Up to $75/barrel through SoCal WaterSmart; $250-$350 for cisterns |
| Use limitation | - | Non-potable only (irrigation, ornamental, toilet flush w/ permit) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Menifee FAQ
Do I need a City permit to install rain barrels?
No permit is needed for typical residential rain barrels (≤5,000 gal aggregate, non-potable, screened). Larger cisterns or tanks tied into structures may require building-permit review.
Can I divert my washing machine to the landscape without a permit?
Yes — a single-fixture, gravity-fed Laundry-to-Landscape system is exempt under California Plumbing Code §1503.1.1. Don't pressurize or connect to potable lines.
Are there rebates?
EMWD offers a rebate (up to $50) for the 3-way diverter valve component of a qualifying L2L system. Check current rebate availability on emwd.org.
Riverside FAQ
Do I need a permit for a rain barrel in Riverside?
No, not for a standard 50-55 gallon rain barrel sitting on a stand and used for outdoor irrigation. California Water Code §10573 allows rooftop capture without a water-right permit, and the California Plumbing Code only triggers permit requirements at tanks over 100 gallons or for systems connected to indoor plumbing.
Can I get a rebate?
Yes. Riverside Public Utilities customers can claim $35 per rain barrel (up to 2) through SoCal Water$mart (socalwatersmart.com). Some MWD-funded residential rebates have been as high as $75/barrel and $250-$350 for cisterns depending on capacity. Apply before purchase to confirm eligibility.
Can I drink rainwater I collect?
No. The Rainwater Capture Act and California Plumbing Code Chapter 17 restrict captured rainwater to non-potable uses (landscape irrigation, ornamental, and — with permitted treatment — toilet flushing and clothes washing). Potable use requires a permitted treatment system and Health Department review.
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