North Carolina encourages rainwater harvesting and prohibits state agencies and local governments from imposing unreasonable barriers on residential collection systems.
N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-355.5 directs the Department of Environmental Quality to promote water conservation, including rainwater harvesting. Residential rainwater capture for outdoor irrigation is permitted statewide without a permit. Use of harvested rainwater for indoor potable purposes is regulated under the state plumbing code and requires backflow prevention. Local governments may not prohibit residential rainwater harvesting but may regulate cistern installation for safety.
Improperly cross-connected systems can result in plumbing code violations and fines through local building inspectors.
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See how Cabarrus County's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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