Skip to main content
Home/Rebates/Florida/Sarasota

Florida Water Rebates

Sarasota, Florida Water Rebates

Sarasota County runs RainCheck, a stormwater incentive program administered by the Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team (NEST). It pays property owners for small-scale best management practices that slow and clean stormwater, such as rain gardens, downspout planters, treatment swales, and replacing pavement with pervious surfaces. Rebates run from $50 to $5,000 depending on the practice you install. The step most people miss is that NEST has to approve your project and issue a Notice to Proceed before you start any work.

$50 to $5,000

RainCheck Stormwater Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

  1. Confirm you own the property and it is inside the Stormwater Environmental Utility service area
  2. Apply at scgov.net/raincheck between October 1 and June 1
  3. Meet the NEST Coordinator for a site inspection to assess suitability and goals
  4. Wait for your Notice to Proceed, then install the practice within 60 days
  5. Pass the final inspection, then submit the Rebate Request Form with dated receipts

What you'll need

  • Proof of property ownership
  • Notice to Proceed from the NEST Coordinator
  • Site plan for the approved practice
  • Dated receipts, paid invoices, or canceled checks
  • Completed Rebate Request Form

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Gulf Coast Florida natives suited to a Sarasota rain garden or downspout planter, designs an HOA-friendly layout that fits the practice you applied for, and assembles your plant list and before-photo packet for the NEST inspection.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Don't start any installation before you get your Notice to Proceed. Work begun early does not qualify.
  • Don't apply for a practice already installed. RainCheck funds new projects from start to finish, not past work.
  • Don't miss the deadlines. Applications close June 1, projects must finish within 60 days of approval, and rebate requests are due by September 1.

Sarasota Water Rebate FAQs

How much does Sarasota County RainCheck pay?
Between $50 and $5,000 per property, depending on the best management practice you install, up to a $5,000 maximum (Sarasota County RainCheck program page, verified June 2026).
Can I build my rain garden first and apply later?
No. The NEST Coordinator has to approve your practice and issue a Notice to Proceed before installation. RainCheck funds new projects from start to finish, not work already done.
When can I apply?
Applications are accepted annually from October 1 through June 1. Projects must finish within 60 days of the Notice to Proceed, and rebate requests are due by September 1.
Who is eligible?
Property owners on record with the Sarasota County Property Appraiser whose property sits inside the Stormwater Environmental Utility service area, which covers unincorporated Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota.

We're considering this

Want help applying for one of these rebates?

We're considering a guided concierge service that walks you through the paperwork for your local rebate. Tell us if you'd use it.

Get started

Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.

Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google PlayOpen on desktop
See a problem with a program? Report it

Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.

We compile these programs from utility and city pages, and not every amount here has been independently confirmed. Program details also change throughout the year. Always verify requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with your water utility before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.