San Clemente has no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater harvesting, and California's Rainwater Capture Act (2012) allows homeowners to collect rooftop rainwater without a water-rights permit. Rain barrels and cisterns are encouraged for landscape irrigation, and regional rebates are available through SoCal Water$mart and the Municipal Water District of Orange County.
California's Rainwater Capture Act (Water Code sections 10573 et seq.) permits residents and businesses to install rooftop rainwater capture systems for on-site use without a water board permit, and San Clemente does not restrict residential rain barrels or cisterns. Larger systems, or those plumbed into a structure, may require plumbing/building permits under the City's adopted building codes. The City promotes water-efficient landscaping and irrigation, and rebates for rain barrels and cisterns are offered regionally through SoCal Water$mart and the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), the region's wholesale supplier. Harvested rainwater is typically used for landscape irrigation rather than potable use.
There are no local penalties for capturing rooftop rainwater in a standard rain barrel or cistern. Installing a large or permanently plumbed system without required building/plumbing permits could trigger a code correction notice under the City's building code.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Under SCMC 9.12.060, San Clemente municipal parks are closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and municipal trails are closed from sunset to sunrise. Certain pa...
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San Clemente controls light trespass through SCMC 17.24.130, which requires exterior lighting to be shielded so direct glare and reflections are contained wi...
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San Clemente requires exterior lighting to be shielded or recessed and directed downward under SCMC 17.24.130. Lighting must be energy-efficient, may not bli...
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San Clemente's sign matrix in SCMC 17.84.030 allows one on-site garage sale sign per site, up to 4 square feet, with no permit required. Off-site signs are p...
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San Clemente's sign regulations in SCMC Chapter 17.84 are expressly content-neutral. Any non-commercial message, including a political or campaign message, m...
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In San Clemente a permanent tiny home on a foundation is treated as an accessory dwelling unit under SCMC 17.28.270, while a tiny home on wheels, trailer, or...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle rainwater harvesting.
See how San Clemente's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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