The 2012 Rainwater Capture Act allows California residents to capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable outdoor use without a state water-right permit, preempting most local barriers.
Water Code sections 10573-10574 authorize property owners to install and operate rain barrels and cisterns that collect rooftop runoff for landscape irrigation without obtaining a state water-rights appropriation. Local building permits may apply for systems above 5,000 gallons or those connected to plumbing, but cities cannot ban basic rain barrel use. The Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 17) sets uniform standards when potable cross-connections exist, ensuring statewide consistency.
Improper potable cross-connections may trigger health code enforcement and require system disconnection or correction.
Midway City, CA
Midway City is an unincorporated CDP in Orange County, CA, surrounded by Westminster. Because it has no city government, Orange County Codified Ordinances Ti...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County exempts one small detached non-habitable accessory structure - a shed - per 7,200 square feet of building site area from accesso...
Orange County, CA
Carports in unincorporated Orange County are governed by Section 7-9-70.3(d) of the Codified Ordinances, which requires carports to comply with main-building...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County allows the conversion of an existing garage, carport, or accessory structure into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) under Section...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County requires every pool/spa deeper than 18 inches to be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches (5 ft) high under California Health...
Orange County, CA
Unincorporated Orange County allows ADUs on any residentially zoned lot under OC Zoning Code (Title 7, Division 9) and California Government Code §65852.2 (A...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle rainwater harvesting.
See how Midway City's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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