How to Get the Contain the Rain Stormwater Cost-Share Program
City of Merriam · Kansas City metro (Johnson County), KS
What you get
Reimburses Merriam property owners 50% match up to $1,000 for a rain garden, a separate 50% match up to $1,000 for native/pollinator plantings, $150 per native tree (limit 2), $75 per rain barrel, and a 100% match up to $50 for a bee hotel (not a beehive). Partnered with Johnson County; project must be complete by October 31; 3-year maintenance commitment; a W-9 is required for reimbursement; first-come, first-served until funds are allocated (City of Merriam; last verified July 2026).
- Residential: 50% match; up to $1,000 for a rain garden, up to $1,000 for native/pollinator plantings, $150 per native tree (limit 2), $75 per rain barrel, $50 bee hotel (100% match, not a beehive)
Are you eligible?
- Be a City of Merriam customer
- Property located in: Merriam
- Merriam property owner
- Project complete by October 31
- 3-year maintenance commitment; W-9 required for reimbursement
- First-come, first-served until funds are allocated
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.
Application window: Project complete by October 31
The application checklist
How to apply for the Contain the Rain Stormwater Cost-Share Program
These are the steps this application actually takes.
- 1
Review the guidelines and gather your information
Review the eligible native and pollinator plants and trees on the Contain the Rain website (containtherainjoco.com), and follow the How to Plant a Rain Garden instructions if you are building one. Wri
- 2
Submit the application online
Attach your Pollinator Patch plan, fill in the prep fields here, export your packet, then submit the online application. A downloadable PDF application is available in the documents list if you prefer
- 3
Complete the project by October 31
Install your rain garden, native/pollinator planting, trees, rain barrel, or bee hotel. City staff perform a post-project inspection to verify the work is complete and code compliant, and may take pho
- 4
Submit receipts and your W-9, receive the check
Provide all receipts for labor and material costs at the same time, plus a completed W-9 so the city can process the reimbursement check. Applicants are reimbursed first-come, first-served until progr
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 Contain the Rain Stormwater Cost-Share 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.
See a problem with a program? Report it
Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.