Montgomery County RainScapes Rain Garden Rebate 2026

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Montgomery County, Maryland Water Rebates

The Montgomery County RainScapes Rewards program pays homeowners to install rain gardens planted with native species that capture and filter stormwater runoff. Rain gardens earn $10 per square foot, with a 75 square foot minimum, toward a lifetime maximum of $7,500 per property. You submit a scaled planting plan and plant list for staff review before you build.

$10 / sq ft, up to $7,500 · Verified July 2026

RainScapes Rewards Rain Garden

Open the official program site

How to apply

Confirm your property is in eligible Montgomery County area
Prepare a scaled planting plan and native plant list
Submit for staff review and pre-approval before building
Install the rain garden, at least 75 sq ft, with native species
Request the post-install inspection and submit for the $10 per sq ft rebate

What you'll need

Scaled planting plan
Native plant list
Pre-approval confirmation
Itemized receipts and after photos

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Central Maryland natives suited to a Montgomery County rain garden, designs an HOA-friendly layout that replaces turf and intercepts runoff, and builds the scaled plant list staff need for pre-approval.

Avoid these mistakes

Don't install before staff review and pre-approval. The planting plan has to be approved first.
Don't fall below the 75 sq ft minimum or use non-native plants.
Don't assume funds are always open. They are first-come, first-served starting July 1.

Montgomery County Water Rebate FAQs

How much does Montgomery County pay for a rain garden?

$10 per square foot, with a 75 square foot minimum, up to a lifetime maximum of $7,500 per property across all RainScapes practices (Montgomery County RainScapes Rewards, verified June 2026).

Do I need approval before building?

Yes. You submit a scaled planting plan and plant list for staff review, and you must have written pre-approval before installing the garden.

Who is eligible?

Property owners in Montgomery County outside the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park.

When does funding open?

Funds are awarded first-come, first-served beginning July 1, the first day of the county fiscal year.

Free step-by-step help with every rebate above

Every program above comes with a free guided checklist in the Pollinator Patch app: the steps in order, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos and receipts together. A few high-value programs also offer an optional ready-to-file application packet for a one-time $29.99.