How to Get the Rainwater Rewards Grant Program

What you get

The City offers financial assistance to landowners installing water quality improvement projects, paying 50 percent of the cost of the water quality improvement component of the project, up to $500 per lot or project. Rain gardens, shoreline buffers and native gardens all qualify. All funding is distributed first-come, first-served rather than through a capped lottery or a ranked competition, and no additional annual cap is published beyond the per-lot limit (City of Apple Valley Rainwater Rewards Grant Program page; last verified August 2026).

• Residential: 50% of the water quality improvement cost, up to $500 per lot or project

Are you eligible?

• Be a City of Apple Valley customer
• Property located in: Apple Valley
• Apple Valley landowner installing a rain garden, shoreline buffer, or native garden
• Only the water quality improvement component of the project is cost-shared, not the whole landscape project
• First-come, first-served while funding lasts
• Paid receipts and photos are required for reimbursement, under a grant agreement with the City

What applying usually looks like

A general guide. Always confirm the exact steps on the official program page, since each provider runs its process a little differently.

1. 1

   Apply and get written approval first

   Submit your application to City of Apple Valley and wait for written approval before you remove any turf or start work. Starting early is the most common reason a rebate is denied.

2. 2

   Do the conversion

   Replace your lawn with the qualifying landscaping, following the eligibility requirements above.

3. 3

   Submit your claim

   After the work is done, submit your claim on the official program page. Confirm the exact forms, receipts, and any photos they require there, since those vary by program.