San Bernardino, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

California Assembly Bill 1750, the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, explicitly authorized property owners to capture and use rainwater from rooftops for non-potable purposes such as landscape irrigation without a water rights permit from the State Water Resources Control Board. In San Bernardino, rooftop rainwater harvesting systems that use gravity fed rain barrels or cisterns connected to existing downspouts, discharge onto the same parcel, and do not connect to the potable water system generally require no building or plumbing permit. California Plumbing Code Chapter 17, as adopted by the city, sets standards for larger rainwater catchment systems. Pressurized systems, systems with pumps, or systems connected to the interior plumbing for toilet flushing or clothes washing must be permitted and inspected by the city Building Division, with backflow prevention and clear labeling required to prevent cross-connection with potable water. Tanks must be covered and screened to prevent mosquito breeding under county vector control rules, and above-ground tanks larger than 5,000 gallons may need structural and setback review. Homeowner incentive rebates through regional water agencies and the Metropolitan Water District can offset costs for qualifying systems, typically paying per gallon of storage capacity. Captured rainwater is generally suitable for drip irrigation of ornamentals and fruit trees; it is not approved as potable drinking water without advanced treatment.