How to Get the Stormwater Management Discount Rebate
City of Austin Watershed Protection · Central Texas, TX
What you get
An ongoing discount on the drainage charge (not a one-time rebate), based on the impervious cover you offset, up to a 50% reduction. Rain gardens and rainwater harvesting qualify (a small rain garden saves roughly $0.70 to $1.20 per month). Measures must be voluntary, not required by development regulations (City of Austin Watershed Protection; last verified June 2026).
- Residential: Up to 50% off the drainage charge (impervious offset)
Are you eligible?
- Be a City of Austin Watershed Protection customer
- Property located in: Austin
- Austin drainage-charge customer (residential or commercial)
- Voluntary rain garden / rainwater harvesting (not required by development regs)
- May require documentation, maintenance plan, inspection, self-reporting
Before you start
Do not remove turf or begin work before you have written approval. This program requires pre-approval. Starting early can disqualify the project even if everything else is correct.
Full Austin guide
Austin has a complete rebate guide with every local program, qualifying plants, and a step-by-step application walkthrough.
Austin water rebates: full guideThe application checklist
How to apply for the Stormwater Management Discount
These are the steps this application actually takes.
- 1
Check eligibility
Make sure you qualify with City of Austin Watershed Protection before you start.
- 2
Get pre-approval if required
Some programs require approval before any work begins. Check with City of Austin Watershed Protection and take before photos of the existing yard first.
- 3
Do the work
Complete the project, take before and after photos, and save every receipt.
- 4
Submit your application
Send City of Austin Watershed Protection the completed application with your photos and receipts, then watch for the confirmation.
Get help applying
Want a hand with the application?
A 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder. He reads the Stormwater Management Discount rules with you, tells you what to photograph and file first, and answers anything this page does not cover.
Confirm your project ZIP first. If this program does not serve your address, do not buy; check your city or utility on the rebates page instead.
One-time $29.99. Guidance, not filing: you submit to the program yourself. Not legal or financial advice. Rebate amounts and approval are decided by the program.
Every program listed cites its official source, and each program page shows the date we last verified it against that source. Program details change throughout the year, so always confirm requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with the program before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.
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.