Rainwater laws / Texas
Is it legal to collect rainwater in Texas?
Checked at Texas's own statutes and agencies, November 2026. Not legal advice.
Allowed, and protected by law
Yes, and Texas encourages it: HOAs can't ban rainwater harvesting, and the equipment is free of state sales tax.
What the rules say
- Texas Property Code 202.007 prevents a homeowners association from prohibiting rainwater harvesting systems.
Tax breaks and help
Rainwater harvesting equipment, supplies and installation labor are exempt from state sales tax (Tax Code 151.355, Form 01-339), and systems may qualify for a property tax exemption (Tax Code 11.32).
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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