Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in unincorporated LA County. LADWP offers rebates for rain barrels. The LACFCD promotes distributed stormwater capture projects including rain gardens and rain barrels. No permits required for residential collection systems.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in unincorporated LA County under CA Water Code 10573-10574. No permit is required for residential rain barrels and cisterns under 5,000 gallons. The LA County Flood Control District promotes rainwater capture as part of its Safe Clean Water Program. Larger cisterns may require a building permit. Captured rainwater can be used for irrigation but not for drinking water without treatment. Some water districts offer rain barrel rebates ($35-$75). The county's LID ordinance credits rainwater harvesting toward stormwater retention requirements for new development.
No penalties exist for residential rainwater harvesting — it is explicitly permitted by state law. Large storage systems (over 5,000 gallons) built without required permits may face standard building code violations. Improperly maintained cisterns that breed mosquitoes may trigger vector control complaints through the Greater LA County Vector Control District at (562) 944-9656.
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See how Los Angeles County's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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