Los Banos, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 9-6.03.16, Stormwater management and rainwater retention
- Mandate level
- Recommended, not required
- Design benchmark
- 1-inch or 85th percentile 24-hour storm capture recommended
- Applies to
- New construction & rehabilitated landscape projects
- Enforcing department
- Los Banos Public Works Department
- Related duty
- No irrigation runoff onto streets, § 9-6.04.02
Summary
Los Banos encourages, but does not mandate, rainwater harvesting under its water efficient landscape ordinance. Section 9-6.03.16 recommends capture and infiltration measures like rain gardens and cisterns for new and rehabilitated landscape projects, leaving the choice to the applicant.
(a) Stormwater management practices minimize runoff and increase infiltration which recharges groundwater and improves water quality. Implementing stormwater best management practices into the landscape and grading design plans to minimize runoff and to increase on-site rainwater retention and infiltration are encouraged. ... (d) It is strongly recommended that landscape areas be designed for capture and infiltration capacity that is sufficient to prevent runoff from impervious surfaces (i.e., roof and paved areas) from either: (1) the one inch, 24 hour rain event; or (2) the 85th percentile, 24 hour rain event, and/or additional capacity as required by any applicable local, regional, State or Federal regulation. ... (5) Incorporate rain gardens, cisterns, and other rain harvesting or catchment.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4356507; v3 updated 2025-03-05).
Full Breakdown
16, Stormwater management and rainwater retention. 01. 06(a)(3). The ordinance sets a design benchmark: landscapes are strongly recommended to be built with capture and infiltration capacity sufficient to prevent runoff from roofs and paved areas during either a one inch, 24 hour rain event or the 85th percentile, 24 hour rain event, whichever any applicable local, regional, State or Federal regulation requires. Among the measures the ordinance lists as recommended, not mandatory, are grading impervious surfaces such as driveways to drain toward vegetated areas, minimizing paved surface area, using permeable pavers or porous concrete, directing roof and paved runoff into planting beds, and incorporating rain gardens, cisterns and other rain harvesting or catchment devices, along with infiltration beds, swales, basins and drywells.
Because every one of these measures is phrased as encouraged, recommended or strongly recommended rather than required, a Los Banos property owner who skips a rainwater harvesting system is not in violation of this chapter.
Violations & Fines
Failing to install rainwater harvesting features carries no penalty because § 9-6.03.16 only recommends them. However, letting irrigation runoff or overspray leave your landscape and flow into the street or onto a neighboring property violates the separate water waste provision at § 9-6.04.02, enforceable through the City's water waste prevention program administered by Public Works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Los Banos require rain barrels or cisterns on new homes?
What stormwater capture target does the City recommend?
Who do I contact about stormwater requirements for my project?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Banos
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Banos to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.