How to Get the Private Property Drainage Assistance Program
City of Elgin · Kane / Cook Counties (Chicago suburbs), IL
What you get
The City of Elgin reimburses 50 percent of labor and material costs for eligible drainage projects, up to $5,000 per project for contractor-installed work, or 50 percent of materials-only cost up to $3,000 for DIY projects. If a rain garden is built, the City matches 75 percent of project costs at the same $5,000/$3,000 ceilings. The city determines eligibility within 14 days of application and requires a signed reimbursement agreement; work must be completed within 60 days of signing. Priority is given to documented standing-water/drainage problems (elginil.gov/2466/Private-Property-Drainage-Assistance, verified August 2026).
- Residential: 50% match, up to $5,000 (contractor) or $3,000 (DIY materials-only); rain garden projects specifically get a 75% match at the same $5,000/$3,000 caps
Are you eligible?
- Be a City of Elgin customer
- Property located in: Elgin
- Homeowner application to the City of Elgin
- No code violations or unpaid fees in the past 12 months
- Signed reimbursement agreement; complete work within 60 days of signing
- Priority given to documented standing-water/drainage problems
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.
The application checklist
How to apply for the Private Property Drainage Assistance Program
These are the steps this application actually takes.
- 1
Prove the water problem before you design anything
Elgin runs this program to clear drainage code cases, not to fund landscaping, and it says outright what earns priority: documented standing water at least 72 hours after rain, water causing direct da
- 2
Check you and the project are eligible, because both are tested
Eligible projects include rain gardens, dry wells, drain tile, sump pump connections to an approved storm sewer point and re-grading. Ineligible: new construction or remodelling that needs stormwater
- 3
Apply, and expect an answer in 14 days
Send in the completed application with your evidence. City staff review the issue and the proposed improvement and decide eligibility within 14 calendar days of a complete application. Build the rain
- 4
Sign the agreement, then move, because 60 days is tight
If you are accepted, the city asks you to enter a reimbursement agreement. From the date you sign it you have 60 days to complete the work AND submit all payment documentation. If you are doing the wo
- 5
Build it, then claim within the window
Install the rain garden, keep every receipt and permit, and send the payment documentation to the city before the 60 days are up. The city reviews and reimburses: 75 percent of project costs for a rai
The call below also unlocks the ready-to-file packet for this program in the app.
Get help applying
Want a hand with the application?
A 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder. He reads the Private Property Drainage Assistance Program 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.
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Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.