Is rainwater harvesting legal in Texas?

TexasReviewed October 2026

Yes. Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Texas. Equipment and supplies for a rainwater system are exempt from state sales tax under Texas Tax Code 151.355 (the TWDB notes Form 01-339 is used to claim it), and local taxing units may exempt the system's value from property tax. Homeowners associations cannot adopt new rules banning rainwater systems, though they can require them to be screened. There is no statewide permit for a basic system, but if the system connects to plumbing that is also served by a public water supply, cross-connection safeguards and a licensed plumber are required. Check local building codes before installing.

Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.

Sources

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Official pages from the agencies and code bodies that set these rules.

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General information, written in our own words from the sources listed with each answer. It is not legal, engineering, tax or financial advice. Rules change and differ by state, county and city, so confirm with the office that issues your permit before you build. Last reviewed October 2026.