Have you ever thought about how a rainwater harvesting system could both honor the palace’s traditions and reduce the water bill at the same time?

That sounds lovely, but before you start building that rain altar, let me point out the municipal code about stormwater discharge. The ordinance says that any collection system that feeds back into the public right‑of‑way must have a permit and a documented treatment plan—otherwise you’re subject to a $5,000 fine per month. Also, the state has a 2007 rule that says you can’t divert more than 10% of your roof’s runoff to a private garden without a supplemental runoff permit. I’ve seen a spreadsheet that tracks that precisely—just a few columns: roof square footage, average rainfall, calculated cubic feet per year, and a column for the permit expiration date. If you want to keep the palace’s legacy and stay on the right side of the law, you’ll need that spreadsheet, a permit, and a rainwater quality test every two years. Otherwise, you’re risking the same old water bill plus a hefty fine. And hey, you can still make the garden sing—just make sure the water is clean before it starts its serenade.