Capturing rainwater from rooftops for non-potable landscape use is legal in Lincoln without a water-rights permit under the California Rainwater Capture Act (Water Code 10574). Larger cisterns and any plumbing tie-in must comply with the California Plumbing Code adopted in Lincoln Municipal Code Title 15.
California has no statewide rainwater-harvesting ordinance and Lincoln has not adopted one either. The California Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code 10574) authorizes any landowner to install rooftop rainwater capture systems for outdoor and indoor non-potable uses without obtaining a water-rights permit from the State Water Resources Control Board. Lincoln residents may install rain barrels and cisterns to irrigate landscapes. Building permits are required when systems are plumbed into the structure, exceed 5,000 gallons, or change roof drainage. Lincoln has adopted the 2022 California Plumbing Code (Title 24 Part 5) by reference in Title 15 of the Municipal Code; CPC Chapter 17 covers non-potable rainwater catchment system design and backflow protection. Outdoor barrels under 100 gallons typically require no permit. The Placer County Water Agency offers periodic rebates for qualifying rainwater systems.
Plumbing without required permits is a violation of Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) and subject to building-code stop-work orders and administrative citations. Cross-connection of rain-fed systems with potable supply violates LMC Chapter 13.04 and Title 17 California Code of Regulations 7583 et seq. (cross-connection control).
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