Oakland County RainSmart Rebates 2026 | $6/sq ft Rain Garden up to $2,000

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Royal Oak, Michigan Water Rebates

The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner runs RainSmart Rebates for homeowners in 14 cities inside the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District. It pays $6 per square foot for rain gardens, $125 per rain barrel, and $250 per tree, capped at $2,000 per property. Rain gardens have to be at least 75% Michigan-native plants, and you submit the design for approval before you install.

$6 / sq ft, up to $2,000 · Verified July 2026

RainSmart Rebates

Open the official program site

How to apply

Check that your property is in the RainSmart eligibility area
Apply and pay the $25 site assessment fee
Complete the site visit with the watershed council to confirm which practice fits
Submit your rain garden design to rainsmart@oakgov.com for approval before installing
Install the rain garden with 75% Michigan-native plants, rain barrels, or trees
Submit documentation to receive your rebate up to $2,000

What you'll need

Eligibility-area confirmation
Site assessment fee receipt
Approved rain garden design
Plant list showing 75% Michigan natives
Installation photos and receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Detroit-metro Michigan natives for the rain garden, designs an HOA-friendly layout that clears the 75% native requirement, and builds the plant list you submit for design approval.

Avoid these mistakes

Don't install a rain garden before the design is approved. You have to email the plan to rainsmart@oakgov.com for sign-off first.
Don't drop below 75% Michigan-native plants in the rain garden. Non-natives are limited and cannot be invasive.
Don't wait to apply. The pilot is first-come, first-served and funds can run out during the year.

Royal Oak Water Rebate FAQs

How much does Oakland County RainSmart pay?

$6 per square foot of rain garden, $125 per rain barrel, and $250 per tree, capped at $2,000 per property (Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, verified June 2026).

Do my rain garden plants have to be native?

At least 75% of the rain garden plants must be Michigan-native species. A small amount of non-native plants is allowed as long as they are not invasive.

Can I install the rain garden before approval?

No. You have to submit the rain garden design to rainsmart@oakgov.com and get it approved before installing.

Who is eligible?

Homeowners in 14 cities within the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District, including Royal Oak, Ferndale, Birmingham, Southfield, Troy, and Madison Heights. The pilot is first-come, first-served.

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.