Maryland permits residential rainwater harvesting without restriction. Anne Arundel County encourages rain barrels for stormwater management; rebate program periodically offered.
Maryland has no state-level restriction on rainwater collection for residential use. Anne Arundel County actively encourages rain barrels and cisterns as part of stormwater and Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction strategy. The County has offered rain barrel programs and rebates through the Watershed Protection & Restoration Program. Rain barrels up to 65 gallons generally need no permit. Larger cisterns (500+ gallons) may trigger building or plumbing permits. Potable indoor use requires treatment to meet MDH/health standards. HOAs may restrict visible placement. Critical Area properties receive stormwater credit for harvesting systems.
No penalties for standard barrels. Large cistern without permit: building code $100-$500.
Anne Arundel County, MD
Anne Arundel County Code §12-4-101(36) defines a dog that continuously barks, howls, or whines causing unreasonable annoyance to neighbors as a public nuisan...
Anne Arundel County, MD
Anne Arundel County restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zoning districts. Vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW may not be parked in residential areas...
Anne Arundel County, MD
Anne Arundel County requires building permits for new driveways and curb cuts. Driveways must not block pedestrian access or sight triangles. Impervious surf...
Anne Arundel County, MD
Anne Arundel County requires electrical permits for Level 2 EV chargers and follows the 2018 IBC/IRC EV-ready provisions adopted statewide. Maryland RP §2-12...
Anne Arundel County, MD
Anne Arundel County does not have a countywide overnight parking ban. Annapolis restricts overnight parking in residential permit zones and prohibits on-stre...
Anne Arundel County, MD
Anne Arundel County enforces the 2018 IRC Appendix G pool barrier standards as adopted by Maryland — 48-inch barrier, self-closing/self-latching gate with la...
See how Anne Arundel County's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.