Amador County, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Amador County does not prohibit residential rainwater harvesting, and the practice is encouraged for fire-prone foothill properties. The governing rules are statewide. The Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750), codified in the California Water Code, provides that the use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water-right permit from the State Water Resources Control Board, and authorizes residential, commercial, and governmental landowners to install and operate rainwater capture systems. A basic 'rain barrel system' that uses no electricity or pump and is not connected to a potable water supply typically needs no building or plumbing permit for home outdoor use. Larger systems, pressurized or pumped systems, cisterns above roughly 360 gallons, or systems plumbed for indoor or potable use will generally require permits, inspection, or professional installation through Amador County's Building Department, and may need to meet California Plumbing Code provisions. Captured rainwater is also exempt from the State Water Board's outdoor-irrigation timing restrictions, so harvested water can be used to irrigate landscaping even within 48 hours of rain.