Is it legal to collect rainwater in Arkansas?

What Arkansas law says

Arkansas places no state-level restrictions on residential rainwater harvesting. You can install as many barrels or cisterns as your property supports, and no permit or registration is required. Residential collection unrestricted. Large commercial systems may require a permit. As always, check for HOA covenants or local ordinances before installing a larger system.

How much water a Arkansas roof can collect

Arkansas averages about 50 inches of rain per year. On a typical 1,200 square foot roof at 85% collection efficiency, that works out to roughly 31,800 gallons a year currently running into your storm drain. A single one-inch storm delivers about 635 gallons, enough to fill 13 standard 50-gallon barrels.

Your roof and rainfall will differ; run your exact numbers in the rainwater calculator.

The right setup for Arkansas’s climate

At roughly 50 inches of rain a year, Arkansas is a wet-climate state; your barrel will refill constantly. Prioritize a sealed, mosquito-proof design and plan the overflow path. A 50-gallon barrel with a diverter that returns excess water to the downspout is the right call.

Common questions