Yes. Rainwater collection is fully legal in New Mexico, with no state limits on how much you can collect from your roof.
What New Mexico law says
New Mexico 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. Encouraged. Some municipalities offer rebates. No volume limits. As always, check for HOA covenants or local ordinances before installing a larger system.
How much water a New Mexico roof can collect
New Mexico averages about 14 inches of rain per year. On a typical 1,200 square foot roof at 85% collection efficiency, that works out to roughly 8,900 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.
Average annual rainfall in New Mexico.
Gallons per year from a typical 1,200 sq ft roof.
Approximate annual value at municipal water rates.
Your roof and rainfall will differ; run your exact numbers in the rainwater calculator.
The right setup for New Mexico’s climate
With about 14 inches of rain a year, New Mexico is a dry-climate state where storage capacity matters most. Storms are rare, so when one comes you want to catch as much as possible: a 65-gallon barrel, or two linked 50s, beats a single small barrel that overflows in the first hour.
Rain Wizard 65 Gallon, reviewed against our independent testing criteria. See all six models side by side.
Common questions
Is it illegal to collect rainwater in New Mexico?
Do I need a permit for a rain barrel in New Mexico?
Does New Mexico offer incentives for rainwater harvesting?
Sources
- Rainplan, 50-State Rainwater Collection Guide (2026)
- State statutes and water agency guidance for New Mexico
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, annual precipitation normals
- US EPA WaterSense, Outdoor Water Use fact sheet
Educational content, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm current rules with your state water agency.