Rainwater harvesting from rooftops for outdoor irrigation is allowed in California without a water-right permit under the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code section 10574). Chino does not prohibit residential rain barrels or cisterns. Larger above-ground tanks may trigger building/zoning review under Title 15 and Title 20 (setbacks, height of accessory structures). Mosquito control under California Code of Regulations Title 17 requires covered/screened storage.
The Rainwater Capture Act (Water Code sections 10573-10574) lets residential and commercial property owners install systems to capture and use rainwater from rooftops for nonpotable uses such as landscape irrigation without obtaining a State Water Board water-right permit. Cal. Plumbing Code Chapter 17 (CPC Chapter 17) governs rainwater catchment system plumbing if connected to indoor non-potable fixtures. In Chino, simple rain barrels under standard residential thresholds (typically 50-100 gallons) do not need a permit; cisterns over the relevant size or those connected to building plumbing require permits under Title 15 (Buildings and Construction). All storage must be screened to prevent mosquito breeding per CCR Title 17 section 2820.
Operating a non-permitted cistern over the threshold may require retroactive permitting; unscreened standing water can be cited as a vector-control violation by the West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.
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