Raleigh, NC Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

North Carolina has no state restriction on rainwater collection, and Raleigh actively promotes it as a stormwater and drought management tool. Residential rain barrels and cisterns up to 100 gallons connected only to outdoor spigots or drip irrigation require no permit. Larger cistern systems, those integrated with indoor plumbing for toilet flushing or laundry, or any system serving a commercial property require a plumbing permit from Raleigh Development Services under the North Carolina State Plumbing Code Appendix C (Rainwater Recycling Systems). All indoor-connected systems must include an ASSE 1056-certified air gap or RPZ backflow preventer to protect the municipal water supply, and the non-potable piping must be clearly labeled in purple with Do Not Drink markings. Above-ground cisterns over 500 gallons require UDO setback compliance (typically 5 feet from side and rear property lines) and may need screening if visible from a public right-of-way. Raleigh Water's Stormwater Division offers a rain barrel rebate program providing up to $150 reimbursement for qualifying residential installations when customers attend a free Rainwater Harvesting 101 workshop held quarterly at the Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility. Commercial projects over 5,000 square feet of new impervious surface can use cisterns toward UDO Sec 9.2 stormwater volume reduction credits. Wake County Cooperative Extension offers free water quality testing for rainwater used in edible gardens.