Cupertino, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Municipal Code § 9.18.210
- Required BMP
- Rain barrels, cisterns, or rainwater collection system
- Alternative
- Direct roof runoff to landscaped areas
- Waiver authority
- Director of Public Works, if infeasible
- Hillside exemption
- Available with Director's approval
- Sanitary sewer connection
- Needs Cupertino Sanitary District approval
Summary
Cupertino requires new and remodeled buildings to send roof runoff to rain barrels, cisterns, or a similar rainwater collection system, or to landscaped areas, instead of letting it wash into the street. Section 9.18.210 lets the Director of Public Works waive the requirement where it is infeasible, and hillside projects may be exempted with the Director's approval.
Roof runoff shall be directed to rain barrels, cisterns, or similar rainwater collection system, or to landscaped areas unless deemed infeasible by the Director of Public Works. Upon approval of the Director of Public Works, projects located in hillside areas may be exempt from these requirements.
Full Breakdown
18 stormwater ordinance, lists minimum best management practices for every discharger in the City, and its drains-and-drain-lines provisions specifically require that roof runoff be directed to rain barrels, cisterns, or a similar rainwater collection system, or to landscaped areas, unless the Director of Public Works deems that infeasible. Projects in hillside areas may be exempted from the requirement with the Director's approval. 020, treats rain barrels and cisterns as Low Impact Development measures that reduce runoff and mimic a site's predevelopment hydrology by capturing stormwater close to its source rather than piping it away as waste.
210 also bars connecting nonresidential rooftop equipment, tanks, and piping to the storm drain, and it requires secondary containment for roof-mounted liquids, with any roof drain or equipment discharge line to the sanitary sewer needing separate approval from the Cupertino Sanitary District. 5.
Violations & Fines
Because rainwater harvesting sits inside the Chapter 9.18 stormwater source-control rules, a failure to route roof runoff away from the storm drain is a misdemeanor under Section 9.18.220, punishable per Chapter 1.12. The Director of Public Works can instead issue an administrative citation under Chapter 1.10, or the City can pursue a civil penalty under Section 9.18.230 in an amount set by Government Code Sections 54740 and 54740.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Cupertino properties need rain barrels or a cistern?
Can I connect my roof drain to the sanitary sewer instead?
What counts as a rainwater collection system under the ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
California rules heatmap·Compare Cupertino to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Rainwater Harvesting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle rainwater harvesting.