How to Get the Stormwater Utility Small User Credit Rebate

What you get

An ongoing bill credit against Franklin's residential stormwater utility fee (average single-family fee ~$60.72/year), not a one-time cash rebate. The Small User Credit provides a maximum 25% credit for stormwater quantity controls and a separate maximum 25% credit for stormwater quality controls, each requiring the practice to capture or treat runoff from at least 500 square feet of impervious area, for a combined cap of 50%. Eligible practices include rain gardens, vegetated swales, infiltration trenches, dry wells, and permeable pavement (Town of Franklin Stormwater Utility Credit Manual; last verified July 2026).

• Residential: Up to 50% combined off the stormwater utility fee (25% quantity control + 25% quality control)

Are you eligible?

• Be a Town of Franklin, Department of Public Works customer
• Property located in: Franklin
• Single-family residential property in Franklin, MA
• Practice captures or treats runoff from at least 500 sq ft of impervious area
• Quantity-control practice (e.g. infiltration, dry well) for the 25% quantity credit
• Quality-control practice (e.g. rain garden, vegetated swale) for the 25% quality credit

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 Town of Franklin, Department of Public Works 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.