Wichita, KS Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Rainwater harvesting regulated?
- No: expressly excluded
- Governing provision
- Sec. 17.13.010(E), definitions
- Permit for rain barrel/cistern
- None required
- City-water watering hours
- Banned 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
- Violation fee (city water only)
- $50 then $100 per violation
Summary
Water collected in rain barrels, cisterns or tanks from rainfall or storm runoff is not counted as "water" under Wichita's outdoor watering ordinance, so harvested rainwater is exempt from the city's time-of-day watering restrictions.
"Water" means potable water furnished through the distribution system of the City of Wichita's water utility, and accordingly, does not include water drawn by customers from their own wells or water accumulated by customers from rainfall or natural storm runoff in rain barrels, cisterns, tanks, channels, basins, ponds or similar storage structures.(F)"Watering" means outdoor use of water for irrigation, including irrigation with container, hose, drip or spray irrigation mechanisms.(G)"Watering by spray irrigation" means a method of applying water through a network that may consist of pumps, valves, pipes, and sprinklers in a controlled manner so that it is distributed similar to rainfall. (Ord. No. 52-840, § 2, 11-25-25)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
Wichita's outdoor watering ordinance (Chapter 17.13) bans watering with city water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and layers extra day-of-week limits on spray irrigation, tied to a customer's street address. But Section 17.13.010 defines "Water" as only potable water delivered through the city's distribution system: it expressly excludes water residents collect themselves from rainfall or storm runoff in rain barrels, cisterns, tanks, channels, basins or ponds. That means rainwater harvesting systems aren't touched by the restrictions or the administrative fees that back them up, and no permit is required to install one.
Violations & Fines
None for rainwater harvesting itself: it's excluded from regulation. Violating the underlying watering-hour or spray-irrigation restrictions with municipal water draws a written warning, then $50, then $100 administrative fees per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install a rain barrel in Wichita?
Can I water my lawn with harvested rainwater during restricted hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wichita
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