Is Collecting Rainwater Legal in Hawaii?
Collecting Rainwater is legal with restrictions in Hawaii as of 2026. In Hawaii, collecting rainwater is generally allowed but regulated under the state's water rights system. According to Hawaii Revised Statutes §174C-3, water rights are governed by the Commission on Water Resource Management, and rainwater collection may require permits if it affects surface or groundwater rights.
Collecting Rainwater is LEGAL WITH RESTRICTIONS in Hawaii
Collecting Rainwater is legal in Hawaii but with specific restrictions and regulations.
Collecting Rainwater Laws in Hawaii: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Collecting Rainwater is currently legal with restrictions in Hawaii.
- 2 Possession: Allowed with potential permit requirements depending on volume and impact on water resources.
- 3 Sale: Sale of collected rainwater is generally prohibited without proper authorization.
- 4 Age Restriction: None
- 5 Penalties: Violations may result in fines or enforcement actions under HRS §174C.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Allowed with potential permit requirements depending on volume and impact on water resources. |
| Sale | Sale of collected rainwater is generally prohibited without proper authorization. |
| Age Restriction | None |
| Penalties | Violations may result in fines or enforcement actions under HRS §174C. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does Hawaii Compare?
Across all 50 states, Collecting Rainwater is fully legal in 36 states, legal with restrictions in 14 states, and illegal in 0 states. Hawaii is among the 14 states where it is legal with restrictions.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources - Commission on Water Resource Management
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/cwrm/water-rights/
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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