How to Get the Long Island Garden Rewards Program

What you get

Rebate for installing rain barrels, native plantings, and rain gardens. Covers most Nassau and Suffolk County homeowners — significantly broader than the town-specific programs. The 2025 program closed by late May due to high demand. Expected to reopen spring 2026; apply early once it opens.

• Residential: Up to $500

Are you eligible?

• Be a Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) customer
• Property located in: Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Huntington, Smithtown, Hempstead, Oyster Bay, North Hempstead
• Must be a Nassau or Suffolk County homeowner
• First-come, first-served; 2025 closed within weeks of opening
• Check lirpc.org for current program status and application window

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 Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) 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.