Rainwater laws / Minnesota
Is it legal to collect rainwater in Minnesota?
Checked at Minnesota's own statutes and agencies, November 2026. Not legal advice.
Allowed; plumbing rules for indoor use
Yes. Minnesota approves above- and below-ground rainwater systems for non-drinking uses under its plumbing code.
What the rules say
- EPA: "Minnesota approves the use of both above and below ground rainwater catchment systems for onsite non-potable water reuse applications" (Minnesota Plumbing Code, chapter 4714).
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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