Oklahoma City, OK Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Screen pore size
- 1 mm or less
- Visible container cap
- under 85 gallons
- Max visible containers
- 2 per structure
- Placement limit
- not in front of front wall
Summary
Oklahoma City allows rain barrels and cisterns at home and community gardens, but caps visible above-ground tanks at 85 gallons unless screened from the street.
Any home garden, community garden, roof garden, or urban farm may include equipment for the collection of rainwater to be used as a supplemental watering system, provided that the rainwater collection system conforms to the following provisions... Above ground storage containers shall not be allowed in front of the front building wall of the primary structure and shall not be visible from the public way, with the following exception: Rainwater storage containers less than 85 gallons with a maximum of two containers per structure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
OKC's zoning code treats rainwater harvesting as an accessory use to home gardens, community gardens, roof gardens, and urban farms. Containers must be covered and screened (1mm pore size or less) to keep out mosquitoes and other pests, and discharge can't run onto a street, alley, sidewalk, or create ice on paved surfaces. The catch: any above-ground storage container sitting in front of the house or visible from the public way is capped at under 85 gallons, and only two per structure, bigger cisterns have to go behind the front building line, out of street view.
Violations & Fines
No standalone fine is listed for this provision; enforcement runs through the Planning Department's zoning code compliance process, which can require removal or relocation of a noncompliant container and cites property owners for zoning violations under Chapter 59.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a rain barrel in my front yard in OKC?
Do OKC rainwater systems need mosquito screens?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
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