District of Columbia Rebates
District of Columbia Native Landscaping Rebates
DC has two complementary DOEE programs for native landscaping. RiverSmart Homes provides grants up to $4,000 for combining multiple stormwater practices including native plants, rain barrels, and shade trees. The separate RiverSmart Rain Garden Rebate pays $41 per square foot for rain gardens. Both programs require Chesapeake Bay native plants.
Last updated: July 2026 · 4 programs tracked
The quick version
- RiverSmart Homes: up to $4,000 total for combining native plants ($1.50/sq ft), shade trees ($100 each), rain barrels ($50 each), and permeable pavement.
- RiverSmart Rain Garden Rebate: up to $3,000 ($41 per square foot of garden area), a separate program that stacks with RiverSmart Homes.
- Rain garden minimum: 50 sq ft garden, 400 sq ft impervious area draining to it. Percolation test required.
See the vision
From turf to a native front yard.
An illustrative Patch Vision rendering of a turf-to-native front yard. In the app, every plan is generated from a photo of your own yard, for your sun, soil, and HOA strictness.
How to apply for District of Columbia rebates
- 1.Apply for pre-approval before you start. Starting work first is the most common reason applications get denied.
- 2.Take before photos of the area you plan to convert, then matching after photos from the same angles once the work is done.
- 3.Apply early in the fiscal year. Many programs are first-come, first-served. Each program below links to the provider for current rules. See our step-by-step lawn replacement guide.
District of Columbia
3 programs available
RiverSmart Permeable Surface Rebate
DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)
Reimburses $15 per square foot for permeable pavers and $8 per square foot for replacing impervious surface with vegetation, up to a $6,000 maximum per property. Important geographic limit: the rebate is funded only for properties in Wards 7 and 8 and the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) area. No rebate funds are available for properties in the Combined Sewer System outside Wards 7 and 8. Wait for DOEE approval before starting construction (DC Department of Energy & Environment; last verified July 2026).
Distinct from the RiverSmart Rain Garden Rebate, RiverSmart Homes, and RiverSmart Rewards entries already in the directory. Funding is geographically limited to Wards 7/8 and the MS4 area.
RiverSmart Homes Program
DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)
Grants for installing multiple stormwater management practices on a residential property. Eligible practices include shade trees ($100 each), rain barrels ($50 each), native plants replacing lawn ($1.50/sq ft), permeable pavement ($2/sq ft), cool roofs, and more. Residents can combine multiple practices to reach the maximum. Applications accepted year-round; schedule a free assessment first.
This is a broader program than the RiverSmart Rain Garden Rebate ($41/sq ft, listed separately). Most DC homeowners get more value by combining RiverSmart Homes grants with the Rain Garden Rebate. DC also has a Sustainable DC incentive for solar and efficiency improvements.
RiverSmart Rain Garden Rebate
DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) / Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Rebate of $41 per square foot of rain garden area. Gardens must have 1:10 ratio of garden area to impervious area (e.g., 50 sq ft garden manages 500 sq ft roof). Minimum 50 sq ft garden, 400 sq ft impervious area directed to it. Only Chesapeake Bay watershed native plants allowed.
Administered by Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay on behalf of DOEE. Reimbursement check 2–6 weeks after post-construction approval. RiverSmart Homes grant recipients may also be eligible for rebate funding.
Rebate Concierge
Free step-by-step help with every rebate above
Every program above comes with a free guided checklist in the Pollinator Patch app: the steps in order, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos and receipts together. A few high-value programs also offer an optional ready-to-file application packet for a one-time $29.99.
Explore more
Rebates in other states
Get started
Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right native plants for your region, plan an HOA-friendly layout, and generate the documentation that rebate programs ask for.