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Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS

1601.2 System Design. Rainwater catchment systems shall

California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

be designed in accordance with this chapter by a person registered or licensed to perform plumbing design work or who demonstrates competency to design the rainwater catchment system as required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Components, piping, and fittings used in a rainwater catchment system shall be listed.

[HCD 1] Irrigation design plans shall meet the requirements of the California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7, Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. Exceptions: (1) A person registered or licensed to perform plumbing

design work is not required to design rainwater catch

1601.5.1 Maintenance Responsibility. The required maintenance and inspection of rainwater catchment systems shall be the responsibility of the property owner unless otherwise required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

TABLE 1601.5 MINIMUM ALTERNATE WATER SOURCE TESTING,

INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY

(1) A person registered or licensed to perform plumbing

design work is not required to design rainwater catchment systems used for irrigation with a maximum storage capacity of 360 gallons (1363 L). (2) A person registered or licensed to perform plumbing

design work is not required to design rainwater catch

(2) A person registered or licensed to perform plumbing

design work is not required to design rainwater catchment systems for single family dwellings where outlets, piping, and system components are located on the exterior of the building.

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▸Contents — California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
  4. Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
  5. Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
  6. Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
  7. Chapter 7 — SANITARY DRAINAGE
  8. Chapter 8 — INDIRECT WASTES
  9. Chapter 9 — VENTS
  10. Chapter 10 — TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
  11. Chapter 11 — STORM DRAINAGE
  12. Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING
  13. Chapter 13 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND MEDICA…
  14. Chapter 14 — FIRESTOP PROTECTION
  15. Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
  16. ▸Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
    Overview
    1. 1601.2 System Design. Rainwater catchment systems shall
    2. 1601.3 Permit. It shall be unlawful for a person to construct,
    3. 1601.4 Component Identification. System components
    4. 1601.5 Maintenance and Inspection. Rainwater catchment systems…
    5. 1601.6 Operation and Maintenance Manual. An operation and main…
    6. 1601.7 Minimum Water Quality Requirements. The
    7. 1602.2 Plumbing Plan Submission. No permit for a
    8. 1602.3 System Changes. No changes or connections shall
    9. 1602.4 Connections to Potable or Reclaimed (Recy-
    10. 1602.5 Initial Cross-Connection Test. Where a portion
    11. 1602.6 Sizing. The design and size of rainwater drains, gutter…
    12. 1602.7 Rainwater Catchment System Materials. Rainwater catchme…
    13. 1602.8 Rainwater Catchment System Color and Mark-
    14. 1602.9 Design and Installation. The design and installation of…
    15. 1603.2 Construction. Rainwater storage tanks shall be
    16. 1603.7 Opening and Access Protection. Rainwater
    17. 1603.3 Location. Rainwater storage tanks shall be permitted to…
    18. 1603.4 Above Grade. Above grade, storage tanks shall be
    19. 1603.5 Below Grade. Rainwater storage tanks installed
    20. 1603.6 Drainage and Overflow. Rainwater storage tanks
    21. 1603.8 Marking. Rainwater tanks shall be permanently
    22. 1603.9 Storage Tank Venting. Where venting using
    23. 1603.10 Pumps. Pumps serving rainwater catchment systems shall…
    24. 1603.11 Roof Drains. Primary and secondary roof drains,
    25. 1603.12 Water Quality Devices and Equipment. Devices and equip…
    26. 1603.13 Freeze Protection. Tanks and piping installed in
    27. 1603.14 Debris Removal. The rainwater catchment conveyance sys…
    28. 1603.15 Required Filters. A filter permitting the passage
    29. 1603.16 Roof Gutters. Gutters shall maintain a minimum
    30. 1604.0 Signs.1604.1 General. Signs in buildings using rainwate…
    31. 1604.2 Commercial, Industrial, Institutional idential Restroom…
    32. 1604.3 Equipment Room Signs. Each equipment room
    33. 1605.2 Supply System Inspection and Test. Rainwater
    34. 1605.3 Cross-Connection Inspection and Testing. An
  17. Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  18. Appendix A — RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYS…
  19. Appendix B — EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT S…
  20. Appendix C — ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  21. Appendix D — SIZING STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
  22. Appendix E — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL V…
  23. Appendix F — FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
  24. Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
  25. Appendix H — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
  26. Appendix I — INSTALLATION STANDARD FOR PEX TUBING SYSTEMS FOR …
  27. Appendix J — COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND …
  28. Appendix K — POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  29. Appendix L — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
  30. Appendix M — PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR

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