Rainwater collection is legal and encouraged in Redmond per Washington Department of Ecology 2009 guidance; systems for non-potable outdoor use require no permit, while plumbed indoor uses require building permits.
Washington State Department of Ecology issued a formal 2009 policy confirming that rooftop rainwater collection does not constitute an appropriation of water requiring a water right, making rainwater harvesting legal throughout Redmond without special Ecology permission. Simple rain barrels and cisterns used for outdoor non-potable uses such as garden irrigation and lawn watering are permitted with no city permit. King County Surface Water Management actively encourages rainwater harvesting and rain gardens as stormwater best management practices. Larger cistern installations that are plumbed into a structure, used for toilet flushing, or integrated into potable systems require building and plumbing permits from Redmond Development Services, must meet Washington Plumbing Code requirements (backflow prevention, labeling, cross-connection control), and may need Department of Health review for indoor potable use. Rain gardens are supported by the 12,000 Rain Gardens Initiative and may qualify for rebates through Stewardship Partners.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Redmond, WA
Redmond does not ban gas leaf blowers, but restricts their use to daytime hours under RMC 6.32. Residential yard equipment is permitted between 7 AM and 10 P...
Redmond, WA
Industrial-source noise received in Redmond residential areas may not exceed 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime under RMC 6.32 and WAC 173-60. Overlake and ...
Redmond, WA
Redmond generally allows overnight residential street parking within the 72-hour continuous-parking limit. Downtown time zones, snow events, and posted no-pa...
Redmond, WA
Redmond restricts on-street RV and boat parking to 72 hours and regulates driveway storage under RMC Title 21. Many zones limit the number of recreational ve...
Redmond, WA
Redmond regulates driveway width, surfacing, and apron construction under RMC Title 21 and Public Works standards. Residential driveways are typically 10-24 ...
Redmond, WA
Standard residential fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards do not require a building permit in Redmond. Permits are needed for...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle rainwater harvesting.
See how Redmond's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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