Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program 2026

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Bellingham, Washington Water Rebates

The Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) is run by the City of Bellingham and the Whatcom Conservation District. It reimburses up to $2.00 per square foot improved for native landscaping and stormwater projects, like mulching and replanting lawn or building a rain garden, for properties in the Lake Whatcom watershed inside Bellingham city limits. A lower-touch DIY Native Landscaping tier reimburses $1.30 per square foot.

Up to $2.00 / sq ft · Verified June 2026

Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP)

Open the official program site

How to apply

Enter your address to confirm the property is in the Lake Whatcom watershed inside Bellingham city limits
Attend a workshop or consultation
Select your improvements with program staff and get approval
Complete the project, mulching and planting eligible lawn area with native plants
Submit for reimbursement of up to $2.00 per square foot improved

What you'll need

Property address to confirm watershed and city-limit eligibility
Approved improvement plan from your consultation
Photos of the improved area
Itemized receipts for eligible expenses

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Lake Whatcom watershed natives suited to mulched beds and rain gardens, designs an HOA-friendly layout, and assembles the plant list and photo packet for your HIP reimbursement.

Avoid these mistakes

Don't start the project before you attend the consultation and get your improvements approved.
Don't assume eligibility outside the watershed. The property must sit in the Lake Whatcom watershed inside Bellingham city limits.
Don't skip the native plantings. Mulching and replanting eligible lawn area with native plants is what the reimbursement is for.

Bellingham Water Rebate FAQs

How much does the Lake Whatcom HIP pay?

Up to $2.00 per square foot improved for eligible native-landscaping and stormwater work, with a DIY Native Landscaping tier at $1.30 per square foot and no maximum (Lake Whatcom HIP, City of Bellingham and Whatcom Conservation District, verified June 2026).

Who is eligible?

Residents whose property sits in the Lake Whatcom watershed inside Bellingham city limits. Enter your address on the program site to confirm.

Can I start before applying?

No. Attend a workshop or consultation, select your improvements with staff, and get approval before you start. Reimbursement comes after the project is complete.

What projects qualify?

Native-landscaping and stormwater work such as mulching and replanting lawn areas with native plants or installing a rain garden in the Lake Whatcom watershed.

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.