How to Get the SWMD Grant Program

What you get

Summit Soil & Water Conservation District distributes Surface Water Management District funds to residents in 11 member communities for stormwater practices, at a predetermined amount per practice: $550 for a rain garden, and up to $500 for turf reduction, made up of $400 for one 2-inch caliper native tree, $150 per 50 square feet of native plant plugs, and $20 per 100 square feet of native seed. Projects requesting non-native species are not accepted. The rain garden option requires completing a master rain gardener course, and a district site visit must occur before reimbursement (Summit SWCD SWMD Grant Program; last verified August 2026).

• Residential: Rain garden $550; turf reduction up to $500 (native tree $400, native plant plugs $150 per 50 sq ft, native seed $20 per 100 sq ft)

Are you eligible?

• Be a Summit Soil & Water Conservation District customer
• Property located in: Bath Township, Boston Township, Copley Township, Coventry Township, Northfield Center Township, Richfield Township, Sagamore Hills Township, Springfield Township, Twinsburg Township, Reminderville, Lakemore
• Residential property owner in one of the 11 Surface Water Management District communities
• Rain garden applicants must complete a master rain gardener course
• Projects requesting non-native species are not accepted; native trees must come from the district approved tree list
• One proposal per location per year
• Project completed by September 30 to be eligible for reimbursement
• Site visit by a Summit SWCD representative before reimbursement

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 Summit Soil & Water Conservation District 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.