North Las Vegas, NV Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- NRS 533.027 allows residential
- Allowed Use
- Non-potable outdoor
- NLV Annual Rain
- About 4 inches
- Mosquito
- Screen required
Summary
Rainwater harvesting for single-family residential outdoor use is permitted in North Las Vegas under NRS 533.027, which allows rooftop collection without a water right. Arid climate makes yields modest.
NRS 533.027 Applicability of chapter to certain emergency situations to extinguish fires and de minimus collection of precipitation. ����� 1. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to: ����� (a) The use of water in emergency situations to extinguish fires by a public agency or a volunteer fire department; or ����� (b) The de minimus collection of precipitation: ������������ (1) From the rooftop of a single-family dwelling for nonpotable domestic use; or ������������ (2) If the collection does not conflict with any existing water rights as determined by the State Engineer, in a guzzler to provide water for use by wildlife. The guzzler must: ������������������ (I) Have a capacity of 40,000 gallons or less; ������������������ (II) Have a capture area of 1 acre or less; ������������������ (III) Have a pipe length of 1/2 mile or less; ������������������ (IV) Be developed by a state or federal agency responsible for wildlife management or by any other person in consultation with the Department of Wildlife; and ������������������ (V) Be approved for use by the Department of Wildlife. ����� 2. As used in this section: ����� (a) �Domestic use� has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 534.013 . ����� (b) �Guzzler� has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 501.121 . ����� (c) �Public agency� means an agency, bureau, board, commission, department or division of this State or a political subdivision of this State.
����� (Added to NRS by 2017, 1432 ; A 2023, 1278 ; 2025, 391 )
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
027 carves out an exception: a single-family residential household may collect precipitation from the roof of their home for non-potable outdoor uses like watering a garden, without needing a water right from the State Engineer. This allows residents to install rain barrels and downspout diverters. North Las Vegas has no separate ordinance against residential rainwater harvesting and the practice aligns with Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) water conservation goals. Practical reality: NLV receives only about 4 inches of precipitation annually, mostly in brief summer monsoon storms, so even an optimally sized barrel system captures only a few hundred gallons per year.
SNWA promotes active harvesting less than it promotes passive stormwater management (grading yards so rain infiltrates landscaping), gray water reuse, and xeriscaping. Barrels should be screened against mosquitoes (Southern Nevada Health District guidance), installed on stable footings, and not connected to any potable plumbing system. Commercial and industrial rainwater collection at larger scales still requires State Engineer consultation.
Violations & Fines
Contamination of potable plumbing: plumbing code violation, disconnection required. Mosquito breeding in open barrel: public health nuisance citation. Large-scale collection without water right: State Engineer enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a 500-gallon cistern in my Aliante backyard?
Does captured rainwater count toward my SNWA allocation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in North Las Vegas
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