Volusia County, FL Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)

Rainwater harvesting in Volusia County is legal and actively encouraged by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Florida law has no statewide restrictions on residential collection. Standard rain barrels up to 55 gallons and cisterns up to roughly 600 gallons need no building or plumbing permits. Larger systems or those plumbed into home potable water require building permits under Florida Building Code Ch. 13 Plumbing. Volusia County Environmental Management and SJRWMD have historically offered rain barrel rebate programs ($35 to $50) and workshops through the UF/IFAS Volusia County Extension Office in DeLand. Harvested water is appropriate for landscape irrigation, car washing, and outdoor cleaning. Potable or indoor use requires FDEP-approved treatment (filtration and UV or chlorination). HOAs may restrict visible barrel placement but cannot ban rain barrels outright in Florida-Friendly Landscaping yards under FL §373.185 which preempts HOAs from banning water-wise practices. During water restrictions, harvested rainwater is exempt and may be used anytime.