How to Get the RiverSmart Rain Garden Rebate

What you get

Rebate of $41 per square foot of rain garden area. Gardens must have 1:10 ratio of garden area to impervious area (e.g., 50 sq ft garden manages 500 sq ft roof). Minimum 50 sq ft garden, 400 sq ft impervious area directed to it. Only Chesapeake Bay watershed native plants allowed.

• Residential: Up to $3,000

Are you eligible?

• Be a DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) / Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay customer
• Property located in: Washington
• Must be a District resident
• Pre-construction inspection and approval required before starting
• Minimum 50 sq ft rain garden, 400 sq ft impervious area draining to it
• Percolation test required
• First-come, first-served; funding limited

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 DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) / Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay 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.