Rainwater harvesting is legal in Bellevue under Washington state policy; rooftop collection for irrigation and non-potable uses is allowed without a water right permit.
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Washington state under a 2009 Department of Ecology policy clarifying that collecting rainwater from rooftops into storage containers for on-site non-potable use such as landscape irrigation and toilet flushing does not require a water right permit. Bellevue encourages rainwater harvesting as part of green building practices and Low Impact Development (LID) stormwater management. Typical rain barrel installations (55-gallon to several hundred gallon cisterns) need no permits. Larger cistern systems, plumbing connections to building interior (for toilets or laundry), or systems for potable use require building and plumbing permits from Development Services and must meet Uniform Plumbing Code requirements. Health department approval is required for potable reuse. Collected rainwater can substantially offset summer irrigation demand - a 1000 square foot roof can generate 600 gallons from a single inch of rain. King County Green Tools program provides rainwater harvesting design resources and some cost-share programs. Overflow from systems must be directed to appropriate infiltration or stormwater systems.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Bellevue, WA
Outdoor music must comply with BCC 9.18 limits. Special events with amplified sound require a noise variance from the City Clerk and typically must end by 10...
Bellevue, WA
Aircraft noise is federally preempted by the FAA. Bellevue sits in the Sea-Tac contour near Renton Municipal Airport. Complaints go to Port of Seattle Aviati...
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue treats habitual barking as a nuisance under BCC Title 8 and BCC 9.18. King County Regional Animal Services investigates complaints and issues warnin...
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue enforces RCW 46.55 and BCC 11.23 against vehicles left on streets more than 72 hours or stored inoperable on private property, with impoundment and ...
Bellevue, WA
RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. LUC 20.20.400 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. Get a survey ...
Bellevue, WA
Pools over 24 inches deep need a 48-inch barrier with self-closing self-latching gates under the Washington State Building Code and IRC Appendix G. Openings ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle rainwater harvesting.
See how Bellevue's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.