Sierra County, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Unincorporated Sierra County has no code provision prohibiting or restricting the collection of rainwater, and California law is supportive. The Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Assembly Bill 1750) provides that landowners are not required to obtain a permit from a local public agency to install, maintain, or operate a rain barrel system used only for outdoor, non-potable uses such as landscape irrigation. The State Water Resources Control Board confirms that capturing rainwater from rooftops does not require a water-right permit. For larger storage, the California Plumbing/Building Code generally treats small cisterns leniently - notice to a public water system is not required for a cistern under 360 gallons, and exterior catchment systems used only for outdoor non-spray irrigation, installed directly on grade and not requiring electrical power or makeup water, can be permit-exempt up to substantial volumes. Once a system involves larger tanks, structural support, pumps, or potable/indoor use, a County building or plumbing permit may be required, and any tank placement must still meet zoning setbacks (Title 15) and the grading ordinance if it involves land disturbance (SCC Chapter 12.08). Because Sierra County receives heavy Sierra Nevada precipitation and snowmelt, residential rainwater capture is a practical, encouraged option with minimal regulatory friction for ordinary rain barrels.