The 2012 Rainwater Capture Act allows California residents to capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable outdoor use without a state water-right permit, preempting most local barriers.
Water Code sections 10573-10574 authorize property owners to install and operate rain barrels and cisterns that collect rooftop runoff for landscape irrigation without obtaining a state water-rights appropriation. Local building permits may apply for systems above 5,000 gallons or those connected to plumbing, but cities cannot ban basic rain barrel use. The Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 17) sets uniform standards when potable cross-connections exist, ensuring statewide consistency.
Improper potable cross-connections may trigger health code enforcement and require system disconnection or correction.
See how Santa Rosa's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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