Louisville, KY Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- §§ 96.14–96.15, Nuisance Code
- Regulated containers
- barrels, cisterns, tanks, gutters, buckets
- Compliance option
- screen, treat, or empty every 5 days
- Penalty
- $25–$1,000 per day (§ 96.99)
- Enforcement
- Louisville Metro Health Department
Summary
Louisville Metro allows rain barrels and cisterns, but the nuisance code treats any uncovered water-holding container as a mosquito-breeding hazard: screen it, treat it, or empty it every five days or face a citation.
It shall be unlawful to maintain any vacant lot or other premises within Louisville Metro on which any water is allowed to collect and lie stagnant in which mosquitoes breed, or are likely to breed. Any such premises or vacant lot is declared a nuisance and dangerous to the health of the people.
(B) The collections of water referred to herein shall be held to be those contained in ditches, ponds, pools, excavations, holes, depressions, open cesspools, privy vaults, fountains, cisterns, tanks, shallow wells, barrels, troughs, except horse troughs in frequent use, eaves, gutters, flat roofs, birdbaths, swimming pools of all types, tires, urns, urn cans, boxes, bottles, tubs, buckets, or other similar containers. (1999 Lou. Code, § 97.21) (Lou. Ord. No. 339-1986, approved 11-5-1986; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 50-2006, approved 3-28-2006) Penalty, see § 96.99
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Louisville Metro's nuisance code, rain barrels, cisterns, tanks, and similar containers are explicitly listed among the "collections of water" that create an unlawful mosquito-breeding hazard if left stagnant on a vacant lot or premises. Owners are free to collect rainwater, but § 96.15 requires screening with 16-mesh wire netting, complete emptying every five days, larvicide treatment, or another Health Department-approved method. The Health Department enforces this under §§ 96.10–96.17 and can bill owners for corrective work performed after a 24-hour notice period goes unheeded.
Violations & Fines
Violating §§ 96.14 or 96.15 draws a fine of $25 to $1,000 per day, with each day of continued stagnant water counted as a separate offense under § 96.99(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a rain barrel in my yard in Louisville?
What screen size satisfies the mosquito-control rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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