RainScapes FAQs

What  is the process for RainScapes Reward Projects?

• First steps to determining the best project (PDF, 381KB)
• Application process (PDF, 671KB)
• RainScapes inspection processes (virtual) 
  • Preliminary (PDF, 297KB)
  • Final (PDF, 303KB)

Do I need upfront money or is this a grant?

• The entire upfront cost of the project is the property owners’ responsibility. When the project has been installed and has passed the final inspection, a rebate will be issued based on the project type rebate metrics as determined by the project size up to $7,500. 

How much will my rebate be?

• An estimate of the rebate amount will be provided when the project is approved, based on the approved project size. Any enlargement to the project size should be approved by your RainScapes planner prior to installation if you want that area considered for a rebate.
• The rebate will be based on the total of all applicable paid receipts up to and not exceeding the determined rebate maximum, at the rate on the rebate schedule table (PDF, 186KB).
• Sales tax will be excluded from the receipt total.

How much of the cost is typically covered?*

How long does the project process take?

• Processing times for all aspects of our program have been slowed down due to the large number of applications we have been receiving. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are working towards a solution. 
• The length of the process will vary depending on the completeness of the application, assistance needed and complexity of the project. 
• At this time, you can expect to hear back from a planner within 6-8 weeks of applying with the goal of getting a project approved for installation within 6 months of applying.
• For professional contractors who are applying on behalf of a client, please ensure enough time in your planning horizon. Projects submitted with plans may be able to be processed more quickly.
• Please send any questions or concerns regarding these delays to the RainScapes planner assigned to your project and cc the RainScapes application email box: RainScapes@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.

Does the RainScapes Program have funding available for my project and how long are funds committed to my project?

• When your rebate application is approved by our program, the funds are committed to your project; however, if your project is not completed within the allotted 6-month time, the application may be withdrawn. 
• You will receive an automated email message 30 days in advance notifying you that your project will be withdrawn unless we hear back from you. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis, such as for projects that are underway but not complete, or due to unforeseen delays.
• Applications that are withdrawn due to inactivity no longer have funds committed to them. You will then need to reapply if you want to proceed with your project.

I have previously installed a RainScapes project on my property and received a rebate. How do I verify if my property has available rebate funds remaining, and if so, how much?

• Send an email query to RainScapes@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.

How do I know if my property falls within the city limits of Rockville, Takoma Park or Gaithersburg?

• Check the Rockville City map for Rockville; for Gaithersburg and Takoma Park, you will need to call those jurisdictions.
• Rebate Programs
  • City of Rockville Rebate Program
  • ​ City of Gaithersburg Rebate Program
  • Takoma Park does not currently have a rebate program. 
• Send an email query to  RainScapes@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.

Can you talk to my neighbor about stopping water from coming into my property?

• RainScapes is a voluntary program and does not perform code enforcement. We encourage your neighbors to participate in the RainScapes rebate program by submitting an application for their property. 
• Please refer your neighbor to this information on our website, where they can learn more about RainScapes as well as helpful instructional classes offered through our program.

When can I start installing my project?

• You may start installation after receiving an official project approval email from our program. 
• Design can occur at any time, but projects installed prior to a site assessment and plan approval will not be accepted as a rebatable project. 
• For planted projects, we require a landscape plan and plant list that meets our requirements before we can offer approval. 
• Installed projects must have an official project approval email from our program prior to installation. Failure to do so may render your project ineligible to receive a RainScapes rebate.

Can I install part of my approved project and still get a rebate?

• Please contact your planner to describe the change of scope and to determine if your project will still qualify. You will need to submit an updated landscape plan and plant list, but the project may still be eligible for a rebate if the partially installed project meets our requirements. Please note, any changes after initial approval may result in a delay in receiving your rebate. Once paid, that project’s application number is closed.   

What resources are available to help me plan and implement a successful project?

• We have several….
  • Step by step diagrams of site assessment factors (PDF, 1.6MB) 
  • LID Center site assessment graphic
  • Rebate amounts (PDF, 186KB)
  • RainScapes resources

Is the application available in a physical format or only online?

• There is no physical copy of the application available; however, you can contact the RainScapes Program to help submit an electronic application on your behalf. 
  • Email: RainScapes@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov

Do you have staff that can speak to me directly, in another language?

• DEP can provide Spanish translation in-house; the County can assist with other language translations as needed. 
  • If you need language assistance, please request it prior to a scheduled meeting 

How do I decide which project type to choose?

• Visit Rebate Project First Steps (PDF, 381KB)

Can I apply for more than one type of project?

• Yes, but we encourage you to apply for only the projects that you can undertake at one time and complete within a year.
• If you’re unsure where to begin, please select just one project type that you think is most fitting and submit an application. We can easily add more applications later or change the project type if necessary.

Do I have to have a plan prepared before I can apply?

• No, you do not have to have a plan in advance of applying to the rebate program. If you do already have a plan, however, we encourage you to upload a copy during the application process.  You can also upload a few images of your site area at that time.

How do I apply?

I have applied. Why is it taking so long to hear from a RainScapes planner about my project?

• We apologize for any delay or inconvenience our process may cause you and are working toward a solution. 
• Processing times for all aspects of our program have been slowed down due to the large number of applications we have been receiving.  
• Currently, you can expect a wait time of up to 3 months. Please send any questions or concerns regarding these delays to RainScapes@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.

What happens during a site assessment?

• A site assessment is performed by a RainScapes planner, either in person or virtually through a smartphone or tablet. The planner will walk the site with the applicant to assess the project concept for eligibility. 
• If the project is eligible, the planner will prepare an assessment report with observations and recommendations to consider for your property. 

Am I required to implement the recommendations in the assessment report?

• You are not required to implement the specific recommendations as long as the program requirements for your project type are met. You must still submit a plan for approval prior to installation.

What are the next steps after receiving the assessment report?

• Review the information in the assessment report;
• Call Miss Utility (811) to identify utilities before digging;
• Conduct a soil percolation test (PDF 4.1MB) if installing a rain garden or permeable pavement; and
• Submit a planting plan and plant list if installing a rain garden, conservation landscape or green roof for review and approval before starting work.
• If installing a green roof, get the structural engineering certification of roof load bearing capacity, to be submitted to your RainScapes planner. Green Roofs cannot be installed on your own.

Do I need to hire someone to design and/or install my project? 

• No, except for certain project types, you do not need to hire a professional. We require minimum standards be met whether working with a professional or on your own, and we will review only those projects that meet our standards. 

Projects that require a professional

• Green Roof 
  • The structure being retrofit with a green roof requires a certification of load bearing capacity from a licensed structural engineer for the green roof area. Green Roofs cannot be installed on your own.
  • Green Roof Requirements (PDF, 167KB)
• Permeable Paver Retrofit
  • Requires professional PICP certification and cannot be installed on your own.
  • Permeable Paver Requirements (PDF, 172KB)

Projects that may be done as DIY or with a professional

• Conservation Landscapes and Rain Garden
  • Conservation Landscape Requirements (PDF, 171KB)
  • Rain Garden Requirements (PDF, 294KB)
• Pavement Removal
  • Can be designed and installed by property owner or landscape professional.
  • Pavement Removal Requirements (PDF, 172KB)
• Rain Barrel and Cistern
  • Typically installed by the property owner. 
  • Rain Barrel Requirements (PDF, 237KB)
  • Cistern Requirements (PDF, 280KB)

Can you recommend professional landscape contractors, and what guidance do you have for hiring a one?

We are not permitted to recommend professional landscape contractors. Refer to these resources for help in hiring a landscape professional:

• Choosing a Professional (PDF, 310KB) - This guide provides information on types of landscape professionals and has information to help you decide which type of professional to hire. 
• RainScapes Landscape Professionals List (PDF, 1.62MB)
  • This list contains the names of companies whose employees have taken a Rainscapes Contractors training class and is provided for informational purpose only. Montgomery County, Maryland, does not endorse, recommend, or make representations regarding individual vendors, products or services. Therefore, inclusion in the list does not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation, or approval by Montgomery County concerning the quality of products or services offered or provided by any company whose name appears on this site. Please check with your contractor for proof of appropriate licenses, such as professional registration and MHIC (if installing work).  
  • RainScapes training is not a certification program. Two new certification programs are now offered in the region: The National Green Infrastructure Certified Professional and the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional. Professionals attending RainScapes classes have been allowed to use them as continuing education credits for LACES (Landscape Architects), NGICP and CBLP.

If I decide to hire a professional, do I have to use someone from the landscape professionals list?

• No, however the professional you choose to work with must meet our requirements in designing and/or installing your project.

 I intend to design and install my RainScapes planted project myself. What are the requirements?

• All projects, including DIY projects, must provide a project plan and plant list that meets our minimal standards for drawing, plant quantities and other program requirements for your project type. Projects will not be evaluated unless the minimum standards for submission are met. Your planner will advise you on necessary changes to allow for review if there are issues. Here are some links to info that should be helpful as you plan your project:
  • Minimum design drawing standards for projects (PDF, 388KB)
  • Spacing guidance for RainScapes planted projects (PDF, 944KB)
  • Estimating plant quantities spreadsheet (XLS, 39KB)
  • Perc test instructions and recording sheet (PDF, 4.1MB)
  • Rain Garden technical manual with sizing chart (PDF, 4.2MB)
  • Rain Garden planting design templates (PDF, 4.1MB)
  • Rain Garden requirements (PDF, 294KB)
  • Conservation Landscape requirements (PDF, 171KB)

How do I draw a plan?

• Please refer to this resource: Make Planting Plan (PDF, 388KB)

How many plants will I need? 

• In addition to the links listed here, and the many resources on the RainScapes website, please refer to our plant spacing guidance (PDF, 944KB) that will help in determining the quantity of plants you’ll need for your rain garden/conservation landscape. 
• Use the plant quantities spreadsheet (XLSX, 39KB) to complete your plant list; you will submit this, along with your plan, to the RainScapes Program for review and approval. 

What types of plants will I need to use?

• We require the use of plant species that are native to the mid-Atlantic region; however, we will allow the use of non-native species as long as at least 75% of the plants and planted area are native. 
• None of the non-native plants can be invasive. Examples of invasive species include Japanese pachysandra, miscanthus, periwinkle, heavenly bamboo, Japanese barberry, and burning bush.
• "Sterile" cultivars of non-native invasive plant species are also not permitted.

Where can I find native plants?

• RainScapes publishes an annual list of native plant sales (PDF, 253KB) and it is on our website
• The Maryland Native Plant Society has a list of nurseries that carry native plants

What is a soil percolation test?

• This is a test of how fast water drains through your soil.
• You’ll need to do a percolation test to make sure your soil can absorb the water from a rain garden or permeable pavement in a reasonable amount of time. Refer to the instructions and data sheet (PDF, 4.1MB). You can do this at any time as this will be a determining factor of whether a rain garden/permeable pavement will work in the location selected. Please use the data sheet on the last page of the perc test instructions to record your results and return to your RainScapes planner.

What are key considerations for the placement of rain barrels and cisterns?

• Keep safety in mind when installing and using a rain barrel or cistern and check often for failure. A 200 gallon barrel can weigh 1,500 lbs when full.
• Rain barrels and cisterns must be correctly placed in order to qualify for a rebate. Upon installation, the barrel or cistern should sit vertical on the base with no leaning or tilting; the base should be solid, stable and level on top of compacted ground; the base should extend to the edge of the barrel or beyond; and the overflow should be directed away from the foundation.

How will I know if my project is approved?

• You will receive email notification from the RainScapes program that your project has been approved and for how much rebate your project qualifies. 
• The notification will contain a link to the Property Owner Agreement (POA), which you will need to electronically sign. We cannot accept emailed or printed copies of the signed agreement.

What is the Property Owner Agreement?

• The Agreement specifies the general terms and conditions of the Property Owner’s participation in the RainScapes Rewards Program.

How much time do I have to complete my project?

• You or your professional contractor will need to provide the required plan documents within 3 months of receiving your site assessment report. Once your project is approved for installation, you’ll have 6 months in which to install it and have it inspected for final rebate approval.
• You will receive a reminder email 30 days prior to the 3-month deadline if we have not yet received your plan. You can request an extension by contacting either your planner or RainScapes@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.

When is a good time of the year to install my project?

• Planted projects can typically be installed between April and November but it depends on weather and the likelihood of frost or overly rainy conditions. More planting guidance (PDF, 944KB). 
• Permeable pavement projects can be installed year-round provided the ground isn’t frozen. Water harvesting projects should be installed in spring, summer or fall as they typically need to be winterized over winter.

Can I install any part of my project within a right-of-way, or conservation, utility or other type of easement and receive a rebate?

• Any project or portion of a project that is installed in the right-of-way or public easement is not eligible for rebate. 
• Ask your RainScapes planner for assistance if you are unsure of the location of rights-of-way and easements. 

What do I need to do after my project has been installed? 

• Contact your RainScapes planner to schedule a final inspection. 
• At this time the final inspections are typically conducted virtually rather than in person.
• Be prepared to take measurements and photos of your project for verification of the project.

What do I need to do after the final inspection?

• Submit receipts
• Submit images and measurements if requested
• Digitally sign the Property Owner Agreement if not already done.

Do I need to provide receipts? 

• Yes. The final rebate amount will be based on the total amount of acceptable receipts, up to the approved rebate amount for your project. Plants listed on the receipts will be checked against the plan and plant list that was approved and verified as installed.

• ​All receipts related to the cost of the project must be submitted, including proof of payment-in-full invoices for all work performed by others. When using an installation contractor, all work must be final and all payments made in full to the contractor before a rebate can be issued. Receipts issued for cash or electronic purchases, invoices marked “paid,” copies of cancelled checks, screen shots of electronic funds transfers (such as through third parties, like Venmo), or copies of bank or credit card statements (with sensitive information blacked out) are all acceptable forms of proof of payment.

What purchases are eligible to submit?

• In general, the purchase of approved plants; materials, such as mulch, compost and stone; hardware, such as pipe and connectors; equipment rental, such as a tiller; design fees; and labor can be included as long as they pertain specifically to the project and there is proof of purchase. The purchase of tools and equipment, such as shovels, or wheelbarrows, cannot be included. If you are unsure, submit all receipts to your planner for a determination.

For a DIY project, can i submit receipts for my design, time, and labor?

• No, we cannot include the time and labor invested by the property owners. You can, however, hire out portions of the work that you do not do, such as the design of your project, or the preparation of the site and submit those receipts.

When should I expect my check after the final inspection?

• Typically, within 8-12 weeks after your final inspection assuming all required paperwork, such as paid receipts, has been received.

What happens after I receive my rebate?

• You will be eligible to apply for a reduction in the Water Quality Protection Charge (WQPC) that appears on your property tax bill. 
  • Upon project completion, you will be provided with information on how to apply for the credit. The RainScapes Program urges all applicants with completed projects to apply for this tax reduction. Visit the WQPC site.
• The Property Owner Agreement permits access to your property by County staff to conduct an inspection of your project every three years. 
  • Enrolling in the WQPC Credit program can substitute for the in-person inspection by County staff for the follow up inspections. More information: WQPC Credit program. 
  • Inspection access will be limited to looking only at the RainScapes projects or other stormwater management projects installed on the property to verify that they are still in place and functioning as intended.
• You are expected to keep your project reasonably maintained and property functioning throughout the year and for the duration. Maintenance needs generally decrease in 2-3 years for planted projects.
  • Maintenance information for conservation landscapes (PDF, 155KB)

Ineligible Projects

• A project that has been installed prior to RainScapes approval
• A project in an area that has already received a RainScapes rebate
• A project that does not receive runoff from an impervious surface
• A project that requires a permit or was installed because of a stormwater permit requirement
• A grant-funded project
• A project that is re-landscaping current, healthy, non-invasive landscaping 
• A project within the right-of-way or within an easement