Arizona encourages rainwater harvesting and Phoenix places no permit requirements on residential rainwater collection systems. The city has offered rebate programs for water-saving landscaping improvements. Rainwater harvesting is recommended in conjunction with native, low-water-use plants for desert landscaping.
Rainwater harvesting in Phoenix is generally permitted for residential use including garden irrigation, lawn watering, and non-potable household purposes. Arizona does not impose significant state-level restrictions on residential collection. Rain barrels and cisterns may be installed without special permits in most cases, though large systems may trigger building or plumbing permits. HOAs may have restrictions on visible rain barrel placement. Potable use of collected rainwater requires treatment systems that meet health department standards. Some cities offer rain barrel rebate programs.
No penalties for standard residential collection. Large cistern installations without building permit: standard building code violation $100 to $500.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix's Resident Permit Parking Program, established in 1987, lets the City Council designate 'resident only' permit areas under City Code Sec. 36-157 wher...
Phoenix, AZ
A backyard recreational fire is the one open-flame exception that does not require a Phoenix open-burning permit, but Phoenix Fire Code section 307.4.2 requi...
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix follows the 2018 Phoenix Building Construction Code Chapter 9 (IBC/IRC) and Ordinance G-5898 (effective April 18, 2014). Smoke alarms are required in...
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix allows home occupations in any residential district without a permit if they stay within the secondary-use standards of Zoning Ordinance Section 608....
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations on residential property. PCC Section 23 requires property maint...
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, lighting hours, and blower noise are governed by HOA CC&Rs. PCC Secti...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Maricopa County.
See how other cities in Maricopa County handle rainwater harvesting.
See how Phoenix's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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