Nevada AB 138 (2017) explicitly legalized residential rainwater harvesting for non-potable use. Reno homeowners may collect rainwater from rooftops into barrels or cisterns without a permit for landscape irrigation.
Before 2017, Nevada water law under the prior appropriation doctrine technically prohibited any diversion of surface water without a water right. AB 138 codified an exemption for de minimis rooftop collection at single-family homes. Water must be used on the same parcel and cannot be sold or used for drinking. Large cistern systems over 20000 gallons may still require coordination with the State Engineer. TMWA encourages rain barrel use as a conservation practice and sometimes offers workshops through the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.
Selling or transferring harvested rainwater: violation of NRS 533 water-rights law. Large uncovered cisterns creating mosquito breeding: Washoe Health nuisance.
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See how Reno's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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