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Michigan Water Rebates

Royal Oak, Michigan Water Rebates

The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner runs RainSmart Rebates for homeowners in 14 cities inside the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District. It pays $6 per square foot for rain gardens, $125 per rain barrel, and $250 per tree, capped at $2,000 per property. Rain gardens have to be at least 75% Michigan-native plants, and you submit the design for approval before you install.

$6 / sq ft, up to $2,000

RainSmart Rebates

Open the official program site

How to apply

  1. Check that your property is in the RainSmart eligibility area
  2. Apply and pay the $25 site assessment fee
  3. Complete the site visit with the watershed council to confirm which practice fits
  4. Submit your rain garden design to rainsmart@oakgov.com for approval before installing
  5. Install the rain garden with 75% Michigan-native plants, rain barrels, or trees
  6. Submit documentation to receive your rebate up to $2,000

What you'll need

  • Eligibility-area confirmation
  • Site assessment fee receipt
  • Approved rain garden design
  • Plant list showing 75% Michigan natives
  • Installation photos and receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Detroit-metro Michigan natives for the rain garden, designs an HOA-friendly layout that clears the 75% native requirement, and builds the plant list you submit for design approval.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Don't install a rain garden before the design is approved. You have to email the plan to rainsmart@oakgov.com for sign-off first.
  • Don't drop below 75% Michigan-native plants in the rain garden. Non-natives are limited and cannot be invasive.
  • Don't wait to apply. The pilot is first-come, first-served and funds can run out during the year.

Royal Oak Water Rebate FAQs

How much does Oakland County RainSmart pay?
$6 per square foot of rain garden, $125 per rain barrel, and $250 per tree, capped at $2,000 per property (Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, verified June 2026).
Do my rain garden plants have to be native?
At least 75% of the rain garden plants must be Michigan-native species. A small amount of non-native plants is allowed as long as they are not invasive.
Can I install the rain garden before approval?
No. You have to submit the rain garden design to rainsmart@oakgov.com and get it approved before installing.
Who is eligible?
Homeowners in 14 cities within the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District, including Royal Oak, Ferndale, Birmingham, Southfield, Troy, and Madison Heights. The pilot is first-come, first-served.

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Get started

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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See a problem with a program? Report it

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.