Rainwater Harvesting
Landscaping Rules
Whether you can collect rainwater, how much you can store, and any permits or tank size restrictions for residential rain barrels and cisterns.
How Rainwater Harvesting Rules Differ by Place
Yavapai County, AZ: Yavapai County Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsYavapai County sets no blanket limit on rainwater harvesting. Its adopted Plumbing Code governs any nonpotable rainwater collection and distribution system, its zoning ordinance caps a…
Anaheim, CA: California's Rainwater Capture Act in Anaheim
Few RestrictionsCalifornia's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 lets Anaheim property owners install rain barrels and cisterns to collect rooftop runoff without a state water-right permit. Water Code…
Carlsbad, CA: Carlsbad Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsCarlsbad property owners can install a rainwater capture system that catches rooftop runoff without a water right permit under Water Code Section 1201, under the state's Rainwater…
Madison, AL: Rainwater Harvesting Allowed; Rain Gardens Encouraged
Some RestrictionsMadison has no ordinance restricting residential rain barrels or rainwater harvesting. The Zoning Ordinance actually encourages low-impact stormwater practices: rain gardens and…
Mobile, AL: Mobile Rainwater Harvesting System Maintenance Rule
Some RestrictionsMobile's Property Maintenance Code allows rainwater collection and nonpotable-reuse systems, but Section 505.5 requires every cistern, barrel or conveyance line to stay in a safe…
Pima County, AZ: Pima County Rainwater Harvesting Standards
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Pima County, rainwater harvesting systems and cisterns are allowed by-right in every zoning district, but Zoning Code Section 18.07.030(R) sets mosquito screening…
Rainwater Harvesting Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Arkansas
Few RestrictionsArkansas allows rainwater harvesting statewide for non-potable purposes under Arkansas Code 17-38-201. Systems must be designed by a licensed engineer, include cross-connection…
California
Few RestrictionsThe 2012 Rainwater Capture Act allows California residents to capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable outdoor use without a state water-right permit, preempting most local…
Colorado
Some RestrictionsColorado law universally permits residential rooftop rainwater collection up to two rain barrels totaling 110 gallons, overriding the state's strict prior-appropriation doctrine that…
District of Columbia
Some RestrictionsRainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in the District. DOEE credits cisterns and rain barrels as approved stormwater retention practices, and every major land-disturbing project…
Hawaii
Few RestrictionsHawaii's Department of Health runs a statewide program under HRS §340E-4.8 that tests residential rainwater catchment water each year for lead and copper for a $25 household fee, and…
Illinois
Few RestrictionsIllinois has never adopted a statewide plumbing standard for rainwater harvesting. The Department of Public Health proposed one in December 2018, but it never took effect, and the…
Kansas
Few RestrictionsKansas permits rainwater harvesting on private property without state-level restrictions. The Kansas Water Appropriation Act exempts captured rainwater from water-right permitting when…
Minnesota
Few RestrictionsMinnesota does not restrict collecting rainwater in barrels for gardens and landscaping, but plumbed nonpotable rainwater catchment systems that supply fixtures, water features, or…
Missouri
Few RestrictionsMissouri statute guarantees every landowner the right to collect, use, and own rainwater systems anywhere on their property, including inside city limits.
Nevada
Few RestrictionsNevada law explicitly permits de minimis rainwater collection from single-family rooftops for nonpotable domestic use, including watering family gardens, under NRS 533.027 enacted by…
New Jersey
Some RestrictionsNew Jersey's statewide stormwater rule, N.J.A.C. 7:8, requires major developments to manage runoff with green infrastructure and expressly counts storing stormwater runoff for reuse…
North Carolina
Few RestrictionsNorth Carolina makes water reuse, including captured rainwater, official state policy, and residential rain barrels used for outdoor irrigation are permitted statewide without a state…
North Dakota
Few RestrictionsNorth Dakota generally permits rooftop rainwater collection for non-potable residential use. State water appropriation law under N.D.C.C. ch. 61-04 governs surface and groundwater…
Ohio
Few RestrictionsOhio Revised Code 3701.344 and Ohio Administrative Code 3701-28 expressly allow rainwater collection for private water systems, with health department approval required for potable use.
Oregon
Few RestrictionsOregon allows rainwater collection from impervious rooftop surfaces without a water right under ORS 537.141. The statute explicitly exempts rooftop harvesting, providing universal…
South Dakota
Few RestrictionsSouth Dakota's prior-appropriation water-rights system under SDCL Title 46 does not prohibit residential rainwater collection. SDCL 46-1-6 exempts ordinary domestic use from…
Texas
Few RestrictionsTexas Property Code 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning rainwater harvesting systems, and Health & Safety Code 341.042 sets statewide standards for harvested rainwater used as a…
Utah
Few RestrictionsUtah Code 73-3-1.5 lets homeowners capture rainwater on their own parcel. Up to 200 gallons in two covered containers needs no registration; storing more, up to a 2,500-gallon maximum…
Virginia
Few RestrictionsVirginia encourages rainwater harvesting and graywater reuse: outdoor rain-barrel collection is essentially unregulated, while the Board of Health sets standards for reuse systems and…
Washington
Few RestrictionsWashington law expressly permits rooftop rainwater collection for onsite use without a water right permit, preempting any municipal prohibition on basic harvesting.
Wisconsin
Few RestrictionsWisconsin has no statute banning rainwater harvesting. Under Wis. Stat. 145.01(10)(br)1, a rainwater gutter or downspout is expressly excluded from the legal definition of "plumbing"…
Cities & Counties with Rainwater Harvesting Rules
269 locations
Arizona
Arkansas
Other Landscaping Rules Topics
Tree Trimming
Rules about trimming trees that overhang sidewalks, streets, or neighboring properties, and when you need permission to prune city trees.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Permit requirements for removing trees on private property, protected and significant tree thresholds, replacement planting standards, and the penalties for unpermitted removal.
Weed Ordinances
Requirements to keep weeds and grass below a set height, the numeric limits (commonly 8 to 12 inches), abatement notices, and the liens cities can place after mowing it themselves.
Water Restrictions
Watering schedules, drought restrictions, and limits on outdoor irrigation including which days and times you can water your lawn.
Native Plants
Incentives or requirements for using native and drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping, and rules about replacing traditional lawns.
Artificial Turf
Rules about installing synthetic grass, including whether it counts toward water-saving rebates and any HOA or city restrictions.
Composting
Rules for backyard composting bins and piles plus curbside organics, bin requirements, allowed materials, setbacks, pest control, and any mandated diversion programs.