Universal City, TX Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Texas Property Code 202.007 prohibits homeowner associations from enacting or enforcing restrictive covenants that prohibit the installation of rainwater harvesting systems on residential property, though HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic restrictions regarding color, placement in public view, and connection to gutters. Universal City has no zoning or nuisance code provision that limits residential rain barrels or cisterns so long as they are structurally sound and not creating mosquito or overflow hazards. Larger above ground cisterns should be placed on a level pad and, if over 5,000 gallons or adjacent to a structure, may require a simple building permit review. Texas Tax Code Section 151.355 exempts rainwater harvesting equipment from state sales tax when accompanied by a completed exemption certificate. SAWS offers rebates for approved rainwater harvesting systems under its WaterSaver program, and Edwards Aquifer Authority also promotes harvesting. Harvested rainwater is generally used for irrigation and is not plumbed to indoor potable use without additional treatment and plumbing permits.