Washington law expressly permits rooftop rainwater collection for onsite use without a water right permit, preempting any municipal prohibition on basic harvesting.
Under RCW 90.03.260 and Department of Ecology Policy 1017, rooftop rainwater harvesting from existing structures for onsite beneficial use is allowed statewide without applying for a water right. The 2009 policy clarifies that catchment from impervious surfaces such as roofs is exempt from water-right permitting. Cities cannot prohibit residential rooftop collection, although they may impose reasonable plumbing, cross-connection, and building code requirements consistent with the Uniform Plumbing Code adopted under RCW 19.27.031.
Improper plumbing connections may trigger building code enforcement, but no permit is required for typical residential rooftop systems.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma allows residential lawn ornaments and yard art without permits provided they do not exceed the 15-foot accessory-structure height limit in TMC 13.06 a...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. The Noise Code (TMC 8.122) applies to continuously running blower motors...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance at TMC 8.122 applies to any amplified ...
Tacoma, WA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Tacoma require building permits from Planning and Development Services (PDS) when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas pip...
Tacoma, WA
Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Tacoma single-family yards are permitted but subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) Regulation I, Section 9.11, ...
Tacoma, WA
Tacoma adopts the International Fire Code through TMC Title 3 (Fire Prevention) as Tacoma Fire Code. IFC Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices...
See how Tacoma's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
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