California's Rainwater Capture Act (AB 1750) lets Victorville residents collect roof rainwater for outdoor use without a permit for simple barrels. Large cisterns and indoor use require plumbing permits.
The California Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code 10573 et seq., added by AB 1750) authorizes residents and businesses to capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable use without a state water right. California Plumbing Code Appendix K and the California Building Standards Commission set technical standards. In Victorville, simple above-ground rain barrels under 55 to 100 gallons collected at downspouts for outdoor irrigation generally do not require a permit from the city, so long as they are stable, screened to prevent mosquito breeding (per San Bernardino County Mosquito and Vector Control), and do not cross-connect to potable plumbing. The High Desert averages only about 5 inches of annual rainfall, so rainwater harvesting yields are modest, but even small catches help pre-water new native landscapes. Larger cisterns, buried tanks, pressurized systems, or any system feeding indoor plumbing such as toilet flushing require a plumbing permit from Victorville Development Department and a licensed plumbing contractor. Backflow preventers are required where any connection to city water supplements the cistern. Graywater systems are separately governed by Plumbing Code Chapter 16.
Unpermitted pressurized or indoor rainwater systems can trigger a stop work order and required correction. Mosquito breeding violations are cited by San Bernardino County Mosquito and Vector Control rather than the city.
Victorville, CA
Outdoor music events in Victorville must comply with VMC Chapter 13.01 and typically need a temporary use permit with site-specific hours and sound limits fo...
Victorville, CA
Industrial noise in Victorville is governed by VMC Chapter 13.01 zoning limits. Industrial zones allow higher levels near 75 dB(A), but noise at a residentia...
Victorville, CA
Victorville does not ban gas leaf blowers citywide. Use is limited to daytime hours under VMC Chapter 13.01, and California AB 1346 has prohibited new gas bl...
Victorville, CA
Victorville Municipal Code restricts RV and boat parking in residential districts. Storage typically limited to side or rear yards behind approved screening....
Victorville, CA
Victorville prohibits parking commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR on residential streets overnight. Semi-trucks, box trucks, and trailers must use desig...
Victorville, CA
Victorville uses CVC 22651(k) 72-hour rule and VMC Title 10 to abate abandoned vehicles. San Bernardino County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement (AVA) program remo...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle rainwater harvesting.
See how Victorville's rainwater harvesting rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.