Rainwater laws / District of Columbia
Is it legal to collect rainwater in District of Columbia?
Checked at District of Columbia's own statutes and agencies, November 2026. Not legal advice.
Allowed
Yes, and DC pays toward it: the RiverSmart Homes program helps with rain barrels.
What the rules say
- RiverSmart Homes lists rain barrels at "$100 per rain barrel" with a "$100 co-payment per rain barrel (limit two per property)."
Tax breaks and help
RiverSmart Homes rain barrel program (DOEE).
Before you buy a big tank
State law is only one layer. Cities and counties can set their own rules, especially for tanks plumbed into the house, and an HOA can limit where a barrel sits. Drinking rainwater needs treatment everywhere. For a barrel or two on a downspout for the garden, the state rule above is usually the one that matters.
Where the numbers come from
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