California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code §§10573–10574) authorizes residential and commercial property owners to install rooftop rainwater capture systems without a water right permit. Carson does not impose a separate local prohibition; small rain barrel installations (≤100 gallons aggregate, gravity-fed) are exempt from plumbing permits under CPC §1602.10.
Under AB 1750 (Rainwater Capture Act), homeowners may install rain barrels and cisterns to capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable use such as landscape irrigation. The California Plumbing Code (Title 24 Part 5) §1602.10 exempts gravity-fed rainwater catchment systems ≤100 gallons aggregate from permit requirements; larger systems, systems with pumps, or systems plumbed into building plumbing (e.g., for toilet flushing) require a plumbing permit through Carson Building & Safety and must comply with CPC Chapter 16 alternate water sources. Stormwater management is regulated under LA County's MS4 NPDES permit (Carson is a co-permittee), and a properly sized rainwater capture system can count toward Low Impact Development (LID) requirements for new development.
Permit-exempt systems: none if compliant with CPC §1602.10. Larger or plumbed systems installed without a permit: stop-work order, retroactive permit fees, and potential code enforcement citation.
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Carson, CA
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