How to Get the Rain Garden Incentive Rebate

What you get

Reimburses property owners $250 for a rain garden with a minimum surface area of 100 square feet receiving at least 500 square feet of impervious drainage (minimum eligible garden 50 sq ft). The combined lifetime incentive per property across all categories is $1,000. Available to any property in the City of Champaign (City of Champaign Public Works; last verified June 2026).

• Residential: $250 per rain garden (min 100 sq ft; $1,000 lifetime cap per property)

Are you eligible?

• Be a City of Champaign customer
• Property located in: Champaign
• Property in the City of Champaign
• Rain garden minimum 100 sq ft with 500+ sq ft impervious draining to it
• Combined lifetime incentive cap $1,000 per property

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 Champaign 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.