Cincinnati, OH Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Ohio Revised Code 3701.344 establishes that there are no state restrictions on harvesting rainwater for nonpotable purposes such as garden irrigation and landscape watering. Cincinnati actively encourages rainwater collection as a stormwater best management practice. The City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability promotes rain barrel use to reduce stormwater runoff entering the combined sewer system managed by the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD). The Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati and other local organizations periodically offer rain barrel workshops and discounted barrel programs. For potable (drinking water) use, Ohio requires continuous disinfection and filtration meeting specific standards including NSF 53 protozoan cyst reduction filters or NSF/ANSI 55-2017 Class A UV systems. Residents should ensure rain barrel overflow is properly managed, as Cincinnati requires roof drainage to connect to the stormwater system. No permit is needed for standard residential rain barrels used for nonpotable outdoor irrigation.