Union City does not prohibit residential rainwater capture. California's Rainwater Capture Act allows rooftop collection without a water right, and the City's Water Efficient Landscape ordinance (UCMC 18.112) credits on-site rainwater toward landscape needs.
No Union City ordinance restricts homeowners from collecting rooftop rainwater for irrigation. California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code §10574) confirms a landowner may capture rainwater on their parcel without a State Water Board right, and the 2022 California Plumbing Code Chapter 16 allows simple rooftop systems for outdoor use without a plumbing permit. Union City encourages capture: UCMC §18.112.020(C) provides that a project with less than 2,500 square feet of landscape whose entire estimated water use is met through stored on-site rainwater is subject only to a minimal prescriptive provision. The Water Efficient Landscape chapter also recommends designing landscapes to capture and infiltrate storm runoff, and lists rainwater catchment among demonstrated low-water approaches.
Residential rainwater harvesting is not a violation. Plumbed indoor systems must meet the California Plumbing Code, and stored water must not create mosquito nuisances. Projects claiming a rainwater credit under UCMC 18.112.020(C) must document the system at permit sign-off.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Union City prohibits entering or remaining in any public park, playground, plaza, or recreation area between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. under UCMC Chapter 12.28, unl...
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Union City's development standards under UCMC require outdoor lighting to be shielded so it does not trespass onto adjacent residential windows and private o...
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Union City has no formal dark-sky ordinance, but UCMC general development regulations require outdoor lighting to be shielded so it does not spill onto adjac...
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Union City regulates temporary signs, including garage and yard sale signs, under UCMC Chapter 18.30. Such signs may not be posted more than 14 days before a...
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Union City allows political and campaign signs on private property with the owner's consent but prohibits them in parks, public rights-of-way, sidewalks, and...
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Union City has no standalone tiny-house ordinance. A tiny home on a permanent foundation is reviewed as an accessory dwelling unit under UCMC Chapter 18.34, ...
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See how other cities in Alameda County handle rainwater harvesting.
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