RainScapes Program

The RainScapes program promotes and implements projects on residential, institutional, and commercial properties to reduce stormwater pollution. The County offers technical and financial assistance (in the form of rebates) to encourage property owners to implement eligible RainScapes techniques on their property.

There are two ways for private homeowners/businesses to participate:

1. RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program
2. Targeted Neighborhoods Program

RainScapes are a vital component of the County’s watershed restoration efforts, which are required by law (under the County’s NPDES Stormwater Permit). Please note that even if you are not yet ready to install a RainScape on your property we recommend everyday steps to reduce polluted stormwater runoff from your yard.

Environmental Benefits

Most rainfall on urban surfaces such as roofs, driveways, roads, parking lots and patios ends up as stormwater runoff. In contrast rainfall on natural surfaces (e.g., forests and meadows) soaks into the ground where it can replenish groundwater and recharge streams. RainScapes techniques include rainfall capture and holding, rainfall interception, and simulating good, natural drainage which help to:

• Reduce stormwater runoff volumes from individual properties
• Reduce drainage problems on a property
• Prevent stormwater pollution from entering our streams
• Reduce water consumption during dry spells
• Reduced need for mowing, fertilizer and pesticide applications
• Enhance yard aesthetics
• Enhance wildlife habitat
• Reduce energy costs to heat and cool your home
• Increase property values

Learn more about selecting appropriate RainScapes techniques for your property.

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Eligible Techniques

The table below shows some of the techniques that are eligible for RainScapes financial rebates.

Eligible Techniques
Rain garden Rain gardens are shallow gardens designed to capture and soak up stormwater. What to consider when installing a rain garden
Conservation Landscaping Conservation landscaping uses native plants that are adapted to local rainfall and soil conditions to replace part of your traditional lawn. What to consider when installing conservation landscaping.
Tree Canopy A tree canopy is created when trees planted near each other create an “umbrella” or canopy of leaf cover that shades the ground. Tree leaves intercept rainfall and their roots absorb it. What to consider when planting a tree.
Permeable Pavers Replacing the hard, impermeable surfaces on your property with materials such as permeable pavers allows rainwater to soak into the ground. This reduces the amount of runoff that leaves the property. What to consider when installing permeable pavers.
Green Roof Green roofs are covered with a waterproof membrane and then planted with a special vegetation system to absorb rainfall. What to consider when installing a green roof.
Rain barrels and cisterns Rain barrels and cisterns collect and store rainwater from your roofs. What to consider when installing a rain barrel or cistern.
Dry wells A dry well is an underground gravel-filled pit that collects stormwater from roof downspouts or hard surfaces, such as driveways and filters the water through the ground. What to consider when installing a drywell.

Who Can Participate?

• To participate in the RainScapes Program, your property must be located in Montgomery County, outside of the municipal limits of the City of Rockville, City of Takoma Park, or City of Gaithersburg.
• Projects are not eligible if they are associated with permit approval requirements for new building construction, additions, or renovations.
• All participation and eligibility decisions are final and are at the sole discretion of the Department of Environmental Protection.
• Residents of Gaithersburg can participate in the Gaithersburg RainScapes Program.
• Residents of the City of Rockville can participate in the Rockville RainScapes Program.

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