Rhode Island Rainwater Harvesting Rules

Rhode Island does not restrict residential rainwater harvesting. The state imposes no permit requirement on rain barrels or cisterns used for non-potable purposes such as irrigation, and, unlike some western states, it places no surface-water-rights restriction on rooftop capture. Systems intended for potable use are regulated by the Department of Health and must include filtration, disinfection, and cross-connection control. Interior plumbing connections must comply with the State Plumbing Code. There is no statewide property-tax exemption specific to cisterns.

There are no statewide penalties for residential rainwater harvesting. Improper plumbing cross-connections to a potable supply violate the State Plumbing Code and can carry fines.