Deer Park, TX Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Texas actively encourages rainwater harvesting through state legislation. House Bill 3391 (2011) prohibits municipalities from banning residential rainwater collection systems and requires new state-funded buildings to incorporate rainwater harvesting. Texas Property Code Section 202.007 prevents HOAs from prohibiting rainwater harvesting devices on residential property. Texas Tax Code Section 151.355 provides a sales tax exemption for rainwater harvesting equipment including storage tanks, gutters, filters, and first-flush diverters. Deer Park does not impose additional local restrictions on rainwater collection beyond state law. Standard rain barrels (50-100 gallons) do not require any city permit. Larger above-ground cisterns or storage tanks that exceed the city's accessory structure size thresholds may trigger a building permit review. Rainwater collected for potable (drinking water) use must comply with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality guidelines for proper filtration, treatment, and testing. Any connection between a rainwater system and the municipal plumbing system requires backflow prevention devices per the Texas Plumbing Code. The city's stormwater management regulations still apply to overall drainage on the property. Given Deer Park's average annual rainfall of approximately 54 inches, rainwater harvesting is practical for supplementing landscape irrigation.