Rainwater harvesting is allowed and encouraged in unincorporated Palm Beach County. There is no state or county prohibition, and SFWMD promotes residential rain barrels as a water conservation measure.
Florida has no statute restricting collection of rainwater from rooftops. PBC Water Utilities and SFWMD actively promote rain barrels and cisterns for irrigation through outreach and occasional distribution events. Cisterns over 250 gallons or fixed plumbed systems may require a building permit under FBC and must include backflow prevention if cross-connected with potable supply per FBC Plumbing Chapter 6. Mosquito control screening is recommended given South Florida's Aedes aegypti population. HOAs may regulate visibility of rain barrels but FL FS §373.185 (Florida-Friendly Landscaping) provides limited protection for water-conserving practices. Harvested rainwater used for irrigation does not count against SFWMD two-day-per-week limits.
None for residential rain barrels under 250 gallons. Unpermitted plumbed cisterns may trigger FBC permit-after-the-fact fees.
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See how Palm Beach County's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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