Los Angeles County, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal Status
- Legal, no permit required
- Rebates
- LADWP and water district programs
- LACFCD
- Promotes distributed capture
- Uses
- Irrigation, non-potable purposes
Summary
Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in unincorporated LA County. LADWP offers rebates for rain barrels. The LACFCD promotes distributed stormwater capture projects including rain gardens and rain barrels. No permits required for residential collection systems.
10570. This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. ... 10573. ... (b) 'Rain barrel system' is a type of rainwater capture system that does not use electricity or a water pump and is not connected to or reliant on a potable water system. (c) 'Rainwater' means precipitation on any public or private parcel that has not entered an offsite storm drain system or channel, a flood control channel, or any other stream channel, and has not previously been put to beneficial use. (d) 'Rainwater capture system' means a facility designed to capture, retain, and store rainwater flowing off a building rooftop for subsequent onsite use.
Full Breakdown
Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in unincorporated LA County under CA Water Code 10573-10574. No permit is required for residential rain barrels and cisterns under 5,000 gallons. The LA County Flood Control District promotes rainwater capture as part of its Safe Clean Water Program. Larger cisterns may require a building permit. Captured rainwater can be used for irrigation but not for drinking water without treatment. Some water districts offer rain barrel rebates ($35-$75). The county's LID ordinance credits rainwater harvesting toward stormwater retention requirements for new development.
Violations & Fines
No penalties exist for residential rainwater harvesting: it is explicitly permitted by state law. Large storage systems (over 5,000 gallons) built without required permits may face standard building code violations. Improperly maintained cisterns that breed mosquitoes may trigger vector control complaints through the Greater LA County Vector Control District at (562) 944-9656.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rainwater harvesting legal in LA County?
Can I use rainwater for drinking?
Are there rebates for rain barrels in LA County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.