Rainwater harvesting on residential property is broadly permitted under California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Cal. Water Code Sec. 10574), which allows property owners to install and operate rainwater catchment systems from their own rooftops without an appropriative water-rights permit from the State Water Board. Daly City has no separate prohibition. Rain barrels (under 360 gallons / 50 inches high) typically do not require a building permit; larger cisterns must meet California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 17) for non-potable on-site water reuse.
BAWSCA - which Daly City participates in - offers a rebate up to $200 on select rain barrels for member-agency customers. Captured rainwater may be used for outdoor irrigation, toilet flushing (if plumbed under Chapter 17), and clothes-washing without further state permit. Health Code limits apply for cross-connection with potable systems: any indoor reuse requires backflow-preventer-equipped dual plumbing per California Plumbing Code Sec. 1702. Mosquito-control screens are required on standing-water cisterns. No HOA in California may prohibit drought-tolerant landscaping or, by extension under common practice, reasonable rainwater catchment (Civ. Code Sec. 4735, Gov. Code Sec. 53087.7).
Plumbing-code violations for non-permitted indoor reuse may require system disconnection and a corrective permit. Vector-control complaints (standing water without screening) can be cited by San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
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Daly City, CA
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