Missouri Rainwater Harvesting Statewide Property Right

RSMo 640.648 declares that, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, all Missouri landowners retain the right to have, use, and own systems for rainwater collection anytime and anywhere on their own property, including land within city limits. Enacted via SB 782 effective August 28, 2018, the statute establishes a universal property right that supersedes conflicting local ordinances banning or restricting residential rainwater collection. The state imposes no permit, registration, or volume cap on residential rainwater harvesting. Cities may still regulate health, safety, mosquito abatement, and cross-connection control on potable systems, but cannot ban rainwater collection itself.

Local ordinances prohibiting residential rainwater collection are void; cities retain only narrow public health enforcement authority.