Lacey, WA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

The City of Lacey, in Thurston County, Washington, regulates rainwater harvesting only inside the Woodland District, the form-based code area in Chapter 16.24 LMC. LMC 16.24.080 is the design toolbox. It explains how to meet other code sections and mandates, such as the City of Lacey Stormwater Design Manual, and it covers three areas of design: LIDA treatments, street intersection design and street traffic calming design. LIDA stands for Low Impact Development Approaches, and the toolbox describes them as a stormwater management and land-development strategy that conserves and uses on-site natural features together with engineered, small-scale hydrologic controls.

For the Urban Mixed-Use LID Approach, the Type B row (curb extensions and sidewalk) and the Type C row (courtyards and forecourts) each say that rainwater harvesting to manage roof runoff is encouraged. Those rows also prefer bioretention planters with native and drought tolerant vegetation and name permeable paving as the preferred sidewalk surface where feasible. Vegetated roofs are encouraged for roofs that serve as a gathering space. Type B applies on Golf Club Road, Pacific Avenue, other streets, through connections and infill block site area, while Type C applies on infill block site area.

For residential settings, the code states that the function of rainwater detention and stormwater re-infiltration may include green roofs, rainwater harvesting, infiltration planters, flow-through planters, rainwater gardens and permeable paving. The language is guidance, not a mandate: the code names no tank size, no permit and no required volume. Roof runoff from any project in the district is still subject to the Stormwater Design Manual and to the development coverage limits in the zoning chapters. Outside the Woodland District, the Lacey Municipal Code contains no provision that names rainwater harvesting.