Plumas County, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Capturing rainwater for landscape use is encouraged and lightly regulated in unincorporated Plumas County. The governing law is California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Assembly Bill 1750), which provides that a landowner is not required to obtain a permit or other authorization from a local public agency to install, maintain, or operate a rain barrel system, or a larger rainwater capture system for subsequent outdoor non-potable use or groundwater infiltration. The one exception is that if installing the system requires disconnecting a downspout from a sewer connection, the local agency may require a permit for proper disconnection and capping. The Act also confirms that using rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water-right permit from the State Water Resources Control Board, and notice to a public water system is not required for a cistern under 360 gallons. Indoor non-potable reuse must comply with the California Building Standards Code (filtration/disinfection requirements). Plumas County's Water Efficient Landscape ordinance (Title 9, Article 42) treats landscapes irrigated with rainwater or graywater favorably, subjecting very small rainwater/graywater-only projects to only limited provisions of the ordinance. Because Plumas County receives substantial winter snow and rain, rooftop capture is a practical supplement for summer landscape watering. Snow-load and freeze considerations make above-ground tanks best drained or protected in winter.