How to Get the RainWise Rain Garden & Cistern Rebate

What you get

Rebate pays residents to install rain gardens (and/or cisterns) that manage rooftop runoff. Must be in an eligible combined sewer overflow (CSO) basin and use a RainWise-trained contractor; 5-year maintenance (Seattle RainWise, last verified June 2026).

• Residential: Up to $13.12/sq ft of rooftop runoff controlled (often covers most of the project; ~$4,200 average)

Are you eligible?

• Be a Seattle Public Utilities + King County customer
• Property located in: Seattle
• Property in an eligible Seattle CSO basin (use the eligibility checker)
• Work with a RainWise-trained contractor
• Maintain the project for 5 years

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 Seattle Public Utilities + King County 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.