Maine

Yard rebates in Portland

4 programs can pay Portland residents for yard projects: 4 run by the city, the county or the utilities and districts that serve it. The largest, Portland Residential Stormwater Service Charge Credit, pays up to $93 per household. 1 ask for a plan or plant list before they approve a project.

Utility programs only apply to that utility’s customers, so check who supplies your water and power.

Portland's own programs

Run by the city or by a utility or district that serves it.

  • OpenPlan required

    Portland Residential Stormwater Service Charge Credit

    City of Portland Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division

    Reduction of 0.5 stormwater billing unit (SBU) per month for homes billed 1 SBU (400-1,799 sq ft impervious; treat at least 600 sq ft), or 1.0 SBU for homes billed 2 or more SBU (1,800+ sq ft impervious; treat at least 1,200 sq ft). 1 SBU = 1,200 sq ft of impervious area. Stormwater fee is $7.75 per billing unit per month (unchanged effective July 1, 2026), so the credit is worth about $3.88/month (0.5 SBU) or $7.75/month (1.0 SBU).

    Up to $93 per household

  • Seasonal

    Portland Forestry Co-op Tree Planting Program

    City of Portland Parks, Recreation & Facilities - Forestry

    Free pickup, planting and site review by city staff; resident pays the nursery for the tree (refunded only if the city cannot plant it). Tree price not published.

  • Seasonal

    Portland Water District Discounted Rain Barrel Sale

    Portland Water District

    2025 sale: rain barrel for $84.40 including tax, described as more than 50% off retail (earlier years: 2021 $65 plus tax; 2020 flyer about $68.58)

Cumberland County programs

Open to residents anywhere in the county.

Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs

Plan your Portland yard project in Sow

Lay out the new planting on a photo of your yard with plants native to the area, and keep the plant list ready for the application.

Start a plan in Sow