Rainwater capture is legal and encouraged in California under the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750). Rialto requires no permit for rain barrels up to 5,000 gallons used outdoors. Larger cisterns and any indoor/potable use require plumbing permits and backflow protection per the California Plumbing Code.
Under California Water Code §10573 (Rainwater Capture Act, AB 1750, 2012), residential property owners may capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable use without a water-rights permit. Rialto follows the California Plumbing Code (Title 24 Part 5, Chapter 17, Nonpotable Rainwater Catchment Systems): small rain barrels under 360 gallons (per CPC 1502.4) require no permit when used for surface irrigation. Larger storage, pumped distribution, or any connection to building plumbing requires a Building Safety Division permit, backflow assembly, mosquito-proof screening, and overflow routed to landscape. Indoor non-potable uses (toilet flushing, laundry) require dual-piping per CPC Chapter 15. Stormwater capture also helps meet SBCFCD / RWQCB MS4 permit LID requirements.
Unpermitted plumbed cisterns or cross-connection to potable supply: stop-work order, permit fees plus penalties (typically 2x permit fee), and required backflow installation. Mosquito-breeding (open barrels) cited by County Vector Control.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Rialto, CA
Rialto requires permits for walls taller than 42 inches and building permits for all masonry and retaining walls. Block walls get three city inspections, and...
Rialto, CA
Barbed wire and razor wire are prohibited in all Rialto residential zones, and no sharp points may top any fence under six feet. City design standards also r...
Rialto, CA
Rialto caps household pets at four weaned dogs and cats combined, and no more than three of them may be dogs. The limit appears in Rialto Municipal Code Sect...
Rialto, CA
Backyard fires in Rialto are legal only as contained cooking or warming fires burning clean fuels such as propane, natural gas, charcoal, or untreated wood. ...
Rialto, CA
Rialto requires home-based businesses to obtain both a Home Occupation Permit from the Planning Division and a city business license. Under Rialto Municipal ...
Rialto, CA
The Rialto Municipal Code's Title 9 (Public Peace, Safety and Morals) is the primary framework for nighttime curfew and related public-order rules; the publi...
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