I DEMOLISHED the sidewalk to pull water into my yard. Then I grew a food forest using that water. And it was all done within the bounds of rules and regs.
@Miraz I was also suprised about the (legal) background he provided. As this was my firth thought when seeing the thumbnail.
Management of rain water is an interesting concept. We use the german term “Schwammstadt” (“sponge city”) for cities trying to get the water into the ground instead of sending it downstream as fast as possible.