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Washington Water Rebates

Bellingham, Washington Water Rebates

The Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) is run by the City of Bellingham and the Whatcom Conservation District. It reimburses up to $2.00 per square foot improved for native landscaping and stormwater projects, like mulching and replanting lawn or building a rain garden, for properties in the Lake Whatcom watershed inside Bellingham city limits. A lower-touch DIY Native Landscaping tier reimburses $1.30 per square foot.

Up to $2.00 / sq ft

Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP)

Open the official program site

How to apply

  1. Enter your address to confirm the property is in the Lake Whatcom watershed inside Bellingham city limits
  2. Attend a workshop or consultation
  3. Select your improvements with program staff and get approval
  4. Complete the project, mulching and planting eligible lawn area with native plants
  5. Submit for reimbursement of up to $2.00 per square foot improved

What you'll need

  • Property address to confirm watershed and city-limit eligibility
  • Approved improvement plan from your consultation
  • Photos of the improved area
  • Itemized receipts for eligible expenses

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Lake Whatcom watershed natives suited to mulched beds and rain gardens, designs an HOA-friendly layout, and assembles the plant list and photo packet for your HIP reimbursement.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Don't start the project before you attend the consultation and get your improvements approved.
  • Don't assume eligibility outside the watershed. The property must sit in the Lake Whatcom watershed inside Bellingham city limits.
  • Don't skip the native plantings. Mulching and replanting eligible lawn area with native plants is what the reimbursement is for.

Bellingham Water Rebate FAQs

How much does the Lake Whatcom HIP pay?
Up to $2.00 per square foot improved for eligible native-landscaping and stormwater work, with a DIY Native Landscaping tier at $1.30 per square foot and no maximum (Lake Whatcom HIP, City of Bellingham and Whatcom Conservation District, verified June 2026).
Who is eligible?
Residents whose property sits in the Lake Whatcom watershed inside Bellingham city limits. Enter your address on the program site to confirm.
Can I start before applying?
No. Attend a workshop or consultation, select your improvements with staff, and get approval before you start. Reimbursement comes after the project is complete.
What projects qualify?
Native-landscaping and stormwater work such as mulching and replanting lawn areas with native plants or installing a rain garden in the Lake Whatcom watershed.

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Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.

Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.

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Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.

We compile these programs from utility and city pages, and not every amount here has been independently confirmed. Program details also change throughout the year. Always verify requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with your water utility before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.