Rainwater
Is it legal to collect rainwater?
Checked at each state's own statutes and agencies, November 2026. Not legal advice.
Short answer
No state we checked bans a rain barrel on a downspout. Only Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Washington put limits on it: how much you store, who can collect, or where you use it. Systems that plumb rainwater into the house fall under plumbing codes almost everywhere.
By state
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No state law found |
| Alaska | No state law found |
| Arizona | Allowed |
| Arkansas | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| California | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Colorado | Allowed, with limits |
| Connecticut | Allowed |
| Delaware | Allowed |
| District of Columbia | Allowed |
| Florida | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Georgia | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Hawaii | Allowed, and protected by law |
| Idaho | No state law found |
| Illinois | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Indiana | Allowed |
| Iowa | No state law found |
| Kansas | No state law found |
| Kentucky | No state law found |
| Louisiana | No state law found |
| Maine | No state law found |
| Maryland | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Massachusetts | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Michigan | No state law found |
| Minnesota | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Mississippi | No state law found |
| Missouri | Allowed, and protected by law |
| Montana | No state law found |
| Nebraska | No state law found |
| Nevada | Allowed, with limits |
| New Hampshire | No state law found |
| New Jersey | No state law found |
| New Mexico | Allowed |
| New York | Allowed |
| North Carolina | Allowed, and protected by law |
| North Dakota | No state law found |
| Ohio | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Oklahoma | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Oregon | Allowed |
| Pennsylvania | Allowed |
| Rhode Island | No state law found |
| South Carolina | No state law found |
| South Dakota | No state law found |
| Tennessee | No state law found |
| Texas | Allowed, and protected by law |
| Utah | Allowed, with limits |
| Vermont | Allowed |
| Virginia | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Washington | Allowed, with limits |
| West Virginia | Allowed |
| Wisconsin | Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use |
| Wyoming | No state law found |
“No state law found” means we searched the state's legislature and water and environment agencies and found nothing on collecting rain from a roof. Cities, counties and HOAs can still have rules.