How to Get the WaterWise Rainscape Rebate

What you get

Austin Water pays $0.30 per square foot of landscape converted into rainwater-retaining features such as rain gardens, berms, swales, and terraces, with a 100 sq ft minimum, up to $500 per property as a one-time lifetime limit. The property must already be developed (new construction is excluded), and pre-approval is required before work begins, with pre-approval windows December 1 to March 31 and June 1 to September 30 (Austin Water WaterWise Rainscape Rebate program guidelines, austintexas.gov, last verified June 2026).

• Residential: Up to $500 per property ($0.30/sq ft of rainwater-retaining landscape)

Are you eligible?

• Be a Austin Water customer
• Property located in: Austin
• Residential customer of Austin Water
• Property must already be developed (new construction excluded)
• Minimum 100 sq ft of rainwater-retaining landscape features
• Pre-approval required before starting work
• Submit application within 90 days of project completion with photos

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 Austin Water 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.