Rainwater harvesting is legal in Montana and encouraged. Yellowstone County has no ordinance restricting rain barrels. Rooftop collection for outdoor landscape use is allowed without a water right; large systems should be cleared with the state DNRC.
Montana permits residential rainwater collection, and Yellowstone County imposes no local ban or permit for rain barrels or cisterns. According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), collecting rainwater from rooftops and using it for irrigation, landscaping, or gardening is allowed without a water right, provided it does not interfere with downstream water users. Collected water should be stored in mosquito-proof containers. Anyone planning a large system exceeding roughly 0.1 acre-feet is advised to contact the DNRC first. HOA covenants may restrict visible barrels, so check any subdivision rules before installing a system.
No county penalty applies to standard residential rain barrels. Very large storage that affects downstream water rights could raise state water-law issues; consult the Montana DNRC before installing high-volume systems.
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