RainScapes Rewards Rebates

 
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The RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program offers rebates to property owners who install RainScapes techniques such as rain gardens, rain barrels, conservation landscaping and other approved projects that help control stormwater. This program is open to properties in Montgomery County outside the municipalities of Rockville , Gaithersburg , and Takoma Park.

The RainScapes Program is funded by the County's Water Quality Protection Charge. 

 

Am I Eligible for a Rebate?

Answer these questions to see if you are eligible for a RainScapes Rewards Rebate. 

 

  1. Do you live in Montgomery County, MD outside the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park?

  • ​Yes!  Then continue to question 2. 

  • No.   Unfortunately, you are not eligibile for the County program. Contact your municipal government to see if they have their own program.

 

  1. Have you reached the lifetime maximum rebate for your parcel?

  • No!   Then continue on to question 3.

  • Yes.   Unfortunately, you are not eligible for a rebate because you or a previous property owner already took advantage of the program. We commend your continued effort to reduce stormwater pollution!   

  • I'm not sure.   Each parcel can receive multiple rebates until the lifetime rebate maximum is reached.  If you have questions about your rebate amount eligibility, email rainscapes@montgomerycountymd.gov

 

  1. Has your project been pre-approved by the RainScapes program?

  • Yes!   Congrats - you are ready to start your project and apply for your rebate.  

  • No.   RainScapes projects, except rain barrel projects, must be preapproved by RainScapes staff before applying for a rebate. 

 

 

Restrictions for RainScapes Rewards Rebates

  • Funds are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis beginning on the first day of the fiscal year which begins on July 1st.

  • Projects that fulfill permit approval requirements for stormwater permits are not eligible

  • Pre-approval is required before installation of all projects, with the exception of rain barrels. Supporting documents specific to each rebate type will need to be submitted.  This can happen before or after the preliminary inspection.

  • Project completion is expected within 6 months of approval date.  

  • A Property Owner Agreement (POA) acknowledging receipt of public money spent on private property must be signed and submitted. (DEP will provide the document when you apply.)

  • A rebate is issued after the project passes a final inspection.

  • The rebated amount is based on project caps and cannot exceed the receipts submitted and all receipts and signed POA are returned to DEP. Sales tax will be deducted from all receipts.

  • ​At the final inspection, you may receive a list of necessary changes to be made before a rebate can be issues.

If you are not sure if you meet these criteria, email us at  rainscapes@montgomerycountymd.gov.

*RainScapes will no longer offer a rebate for Tree Canopy Projects. Instead check out Tree Montgomery, to apply for a free tree!

 

RainScapes Rewards Rebates by Technique

Residential properties are eligible to receive a lifetime total of $7,500 per property in rebates. Commercial, HOA, multi-family, and institutional properties are eligible to receive a total of $20,000 in rebates.  Download the chart below as a handout. (PDF, 285KB)

 

Rain Gardens

Rain Garden Icon


Residential Rebate

$10 per square foot of total garden area

​Minimum rain garden size is 75 square feet


Commercial Rebate

$10 per square foot of total garden area

Minimum rain garden size is 100 square feet

 

Conservation Landscaping

Conservation Landscaping Icon




Residential Rebate

$5 per square foot if less than 3" temporary ponding, $6 per square foot if 3” of temporary ponding

Project must replace turf, invasives or erosion. Project needs to intercept runoff. 250 square foot minimum




Commercial Rebate

$5 per square foot if less than 3" temporary ponding, $6 per square foot if 3” of temporary ponding

Project must replace turf, invasives or erosion. Project needs to intercept runoff. 350 square foot minimum

 

Permeable Paving Retrofit

Permeable Paving Icon

Residential Rebate

$14 per square foot; 100 square foot minimum

Commercial Rebate

$4 per square foot; 200 square foot minimum

 

Pavement Removal

Pavement Removal Icon

Residential Rebate

$3 - $7 per square foot depending on what replaces the pavement 

Turf is lower, conservation landscape is higher

100 square foot minimum

Commercial Rebate

$3 - $7 per square foot depending on what replaces the pavement

Turf is lower, conservation landscape is higher

200 square foot minimum

 

Cisterns

Water Harvesting Icon

Residential Rebate

$1 per gallon; 250 gallon minimum, 500 gallon maximum

$500 maximum per property

Commercial Rebate

$1 per gallon; 250 gallon minimum, 2,000 gallon maximum

$2,000 maximum per property

 

Rain Barrels

Water Harvesting Icon

Residential Rebate

$1 per gallon

200 gallon minimum for single family home, 100 gallon minimum for townhome

50 gallon minimum per barrel

$250 maximum rebate per property

Commercial Rebate

$1 per gallon

200 gallon minimum for commercial property

$250 maximum per property

 

Green Roofs

Green Roof Icon

Residential Rebate

$9 per square foot

100 square foot minimum

Commercial Rebate

$9 per square foot

200 square foot minimum

 

 

 

RainScapes Rewards Rebates may be considered income under federal tax law.

You should consult with your tax advisor regarding potential tax consequences of receiving a RainScapes Rewards Rebate