Raleigh Rainwater Rewards 2026 | Up to 90% Rain Garden Reimbursement

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Raleigh, North Carolina Water Rebates

Raleigh Rainwater Rewards reimburses property owners for stormwater projects, including rain gardens, cisterns, permeable pavement, green roofs, and constructed wetlands. Most projects get 75% of approved costs back. Projects in high-priority watersheds and the Downtown District get 90%, and properties in disproportionately impacted communities, non-profits, and places of worship can qualify for 100%. A free consultation has to happen before you apply.

Up to 90% of costs · Verified July 2026

Rainwater Rewards Reimbursement

Open the official program site

How to apply

Confirm you own property within the City of Raleigh
Email rainwaterrewards@raleighnc.gov to request your free consultation
Meet with the Stormwater team to assess your site and confirm which reimbursement tier applies
Submit your application and project design for approval
Install the rain garden or cistern to the approved specifications, then submit receipts for reimbursement of up to 90% of costs

What you'll need

Proof of City of Raleigh property ownership
Consultation notes and approved project design
Approval confirmation from the Stormwater team
Itemized receipts for the installed project
Photos of the completed rain garden or cistern

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Piedmont natives that thrive in a rain garden, designs an HOA-friendly layout that fits the stormwater goal, and assembles the plant list and before photos for your consultation.

Avoid these mistakes

Don't start construction before your consultation and approval. The site assessment sets the design and confirms your reimbursement tier.
Don't assume every address gets 90%. The higher tiers are tied to specific watersheds, the Downtown District, and priority communities. Confirm your tier during the consultation.
Don't skip the receipts. Reimbursement is a percentage of approved, documented costs, so itemized records matter.

Raleigh Water Rebate FAQs

How much does Raleigh Rainwater Rewards pay?

Up to 90% of approved project costs for rain gardens, cisterns, and similar stormwater work, with 75% in most areas and 100% available for priority communities, non-profits, and places of worship (City of Raleigh Stormwater Management, verified June 2026).

Do I have to apply before I build?

Yes. A free consultation and project approval come first. The consultation sets the design and confirms your reimbursement tier before any work starts.

Do native plants qualify for a rain garden rebate?

Yes. Rain gardens planted with native species qualify, and natives suit the wet-then-dry conditions of a rain garden well.

Which areas get the higher reimbursement?

High-priority watersheds like Pigeon House Branch, Perry Creek, Swift Creek, and Falls Lake, plus the Downtown District, get 90%. Disproportionately impacted communities can qualify for 100%.

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.