Kentucky Rainwater Harvesting Allowed Statewide

Kentucky imposes no statewide restriction on residential rainwater harvesting. Property owners may collect rooftop runoff for non-potable uses such as irrigation, gardening, livestock, and outdoor cleaning without state permits or registration. Kentucky water rights doctrine treats diffused surface water captured before it reaches a watercourse as the property of the landowner. The Kentucky State Plumbing Code adopted under KRS 318.130 governs cross-connection control when harvested water connects to plumbing serving potable fixtures. Larger commercial systems may require Division of Water consultation. The Energy and Environment Cabinet promotes rainwater capture as a water conservation measure.

Residential rain barrels require no state permit and trigger no penalty; cross-connection violations to potable plumbing may result in plumbing code citations.