Rainwater harvesting is legal and unrestricted in Bristol County. Massachusetts has no state limits on residential collection. Rain barrels and cisterns allowed without special permits.
Massachusetts places no significant restrictions on residential rainwater harvesting — a stark contrast to western water-law states. Bristol County residents may collect rainwater in rain barrels, cisterns, and collection systems for garden irrigation, lawn watering, and non-potable household uses (toilet flushing, laundry with appropriate plumbing) without special permits in most cases. Large cisterns connected to interior plumbing trigger 248 CMR (MA Plumbing Code) cross-connection requirements and a plumbing permit. HOAs in planned developments (Dartmouth, Seekonk, Rehoboth) may restrict visible rain barrel placement. Potable use requires treatment systems meeting 310 CMR 22 (Drinking Water Regulations). Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton have occasionally run rain-barrel distribution programs through water departments.
No penalties for standard residential collection. Large cisterns connected to interior plumbing without plumbing permit: 248 CMR violation $100 to $500. Cross-connection violations: water-department enforcement.
Fall River, MA
Fall River prohibits all noises that menace health or interrupt sleep between 10 PM and 7 AM on weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM on Sundays. The city's noise regul...
Fall River, MA
Fall River addresses barking and nuisance dogs under MGL Ch. 140 §157. A dog that is a habitual barker or creates a nuisance may result in a citation with a ...
Fall River, MA
Fall River regulates construction noise under its general noise ordinance provisions. Construction activities that create excessive noise are prohibited duri...
Fall River, MA
Fall River's zoning code Ch. 86 §86-441 requires parking areas to be set back at least 10 feet from front lot lines and from abutting residential property li...
Fall River, MA
Fall River regulates the parking of trailers, semitrailers, and large vehicles on city streets under §70-320. Commercial buses designed to carry 7+ persons m...
Fall River, MA
Fall River enforces street parking regulations under Ch. 70 of the Revised Ordinances. A winter parking ban is declared when 3+ inches of snow are predicted,...
See how Fall River's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.