Rainwater harvesting is legal in Selma under California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750). Residents may collect rainwater from rooftops for non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation without a state water right permit, and no local permit is required for most residential rain barrel systems.
California Assembly Bill 1750, the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, authorizes residential, commercial, and governmental landowners to install, maintain, and operate rain barrel systems and rainwater capture systems. The law provides that use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit from the State Water Resources Control Board. There is no state cap on the volume of rainwater a homeowner can collect for personal non-potable use. Harvested rainwater may be used for landscape irrigation and toilet flushing but cannot be used for drinking, bathing, or other potable purposes without treatment. Exterior rain barrel systems with cisterns up to 5,000 gallons installed at ground level and used only for outdoor non-spray irrigation do not require a building permit. Systems connected to indoor plumbing or used with spray irrigation have additional requirements. Selma does not impose local restrictions beyond state law on rainwater harvesting. Given Selma's location in drought-prone Fresno County, rainwater collection is encouraged as a supplemental water source for landscaping.
Rainwater harvesting for permitted non-potable uses carries no penalties. Using harvested rainwater for potable purposes without proper treatment may violate health and safety codes.
Selma, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Fresno County.
See how other cities in Fresno County handle rainwater harvesting.
See how Selma's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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