Clarksville, TN Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- City permit required
- No
- Barrel size or setback limit
- None
- Cistern openings
- Must be securely covered
- Plumbing into house supply
- Needs TDEC approval
- Cross-connection enforcement
- Water service discontinued
Summary
Clarksville's code has no rain barrel or rainwater harvesting provision and requires no permit. Two existing rules bite: cistern openings must be securely covered, and plumbing a barrel into household supply is an unlawful cross-connection without state approval.
The owners, lessees, and those occupying or having possession of land or real estate in the city where there is a well, cistern, or shaft shall keep the openings to the wells, cisterns, or shafts securely covered so that no child or person can fall into the opening thereof.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 110 Update 2 | Zoning Ordinance: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
A sweep of the Code of Ordinances and the Zoning Ordinance returns no rain barrel, rainwater harvesting, or storage-capacity rule, and no size, setback, or screening standard for a collection vessel. Section 10-239 requires owners, lessees and occupants to keep well, cistern and shaft openings securely covered so no child or person can fall in. Section 8-403(2) makes it unlawful to cause or allow a cross-connection unless the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Supply has approved it and the general manager of Clarksville Gas and Water directly supervises it.
Violations & Fines
An uncovered cistern violates section 10-239. An unapproved cross-connection is unlawful, and the water department discontinues service until the condition is corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a rain barrel in Clarksville?
Can I connect a rain barrel to my house plumbing?
Does a covered cistern rule apply to rain barrels?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clarksville
Compare Clarksville to another location·View the Tennessee landscaping rules overview
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