California allows rooftop rainwater capture for irrigation and approved non-potable uses without a permit, and San Leandro encourages on-site retention through the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program's C.3 stormwater requirements. EBMUD also offers rain barrel rebates.
There is no San Leandro municipal ordinance restricting residential rainwater harvesting. California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.13 and the 2022 California Plumbing Code, Chapter 16 (effective Jan. 1, 2023) authorize rainwater catchment from rooftops for outdoor irrigation and certain non-potable indoor uses; barrels under 360 gallons and used for outdoor purposes do not require a plumbing permit. Public Resources Code Section 10574 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012) confirms a landowner's right to capture rainwater on their parcel without a State Water Resources Control Board appropriative water right. San Leandro is a co-permittee under the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit and enforces Provision C.3 of the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program: development projects creating or replacing 2,500+ sq ft of impervious surface must include Low Impact Development (LID) measures - bioretention, rainwater harvesting, or infiltration - sized to capture the 80% storm volume (Stormwater Requirements Checklist, City of San Leandro). EBMUD offers up to $400 in residential rebates for rain barrels and cisterns through its WaterSmart program.
Rainwater harvesting by residents is not a violation. Failure to install required C.3 stormwater LID measures on qualifying development projects can result in plan-check denial, stop-work orders, and administrative penalties under SLMC Chapter 3-15 (Storm Water Management and Discharge Control). Illicit discharges to the storm drain system can be cited under SLMC 3-15 with penalties consistent with the Clean Water Act ($1,000-$10,000 per day).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Leandro, CA
SLMC §4-1-1115 prohibits use of any loudspeaker, loudspeaker system, public address or similar device between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. when it disturbs neigh...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro is unusual among Bay Area cities: SLMC Article 11 sets only one numeric noise threshold — 5 decibels above ambient at the complainant's property ...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro does not recognize any 'dibs' or 'savie' parking custom. Public streets are public space — placing chairs, cones, garbage cans, or other objects ...
San Leandro, CA
Permitted fence/wall materials are wood, steel, finished concrete, and stucco. Chain-link and corrugated metal fencing are prohibited. Street-facing fences m...
San Leandro, CA
Retaining walls 4 feet or less measured from bottom of footing to top of wall are exempt from a building permit, unless they support a surcharge (e.g., drive...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro has no standalone hoarding statute, but SLMC §4-11-1100 caps household dogs at two and applies an Animal Permit requirement to additional animals...
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