Rain barrels and cisterns · Arizona

Tucson Water Rainwater Harvesting Rebate and Treebates

Run by Tucson Water (City of Tucson)

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$1.00 per gallon of storage for direct roof systems meeting the 1-inch rainfall requirement, $0.50 per gallon otherwise (indirect passive systems $0.50/gal; streetside basins $1.00/gal with evidence of diverted street stormwater, else $0.50). Treebates: $50 first tree, $49 second tree.
Maximum
$1,999 per household
Who qualifies
Tucson Water single-family residential customers (and small commercial with 5/8-inch meter). Installation address must have active Tucson Water service before purchase and install. Previous recipients are subject to new rules: remaining storage rebate = $1,900 minus prior storage rebates.
Where
Single-family Tucson Water customers with active service at the address.
Status
Open. Form open; policy updates effective July 2026; funding limited, submission does not guarantee funding.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Install a rainwater harvesting system (tanks or passive earthworks/basins) that waters landscape plants, and optionally plant new drought-tolerant trees watered by it.

Requirements

  • Max $1,999 per property: up to $1,900 storage plus up to $99 Treebates
  • Complete a Watershed Management Group workshop
  • Pre-approval of site plan before installing
  • Site plan must show a beneficial use for harvested water
  • Under 800 gal: no vegetation required; 800-1,499 gal: 1 tree or 4 shrubs; over 1,500 gal: 2 trees or 8 shrubs, or 1 tree plus 4 shrubs
  • Before photos required with plan
  • Reduced pressure backflow assembly required for pump-pressurized irrigation (not covered)
  • Trees must be new, on the TAMA Low Water Use Plant List, watered by the rebated system; existing trees not eligible
  • Local zoning/permits through City of Tucson PDSD or Pima County Development Services; streetside basins need permits and fees
  • Itemized receipts if a contractor is used
  • City issues 1099-MISC for $2,000 or more in a calendar year

The plan or design it asks for

Site plan submitted with the rebate form before installing: roof area in sq ft, tank placement and capacity, numbered basins with measurements, gutters, beneficial uses, flow arrows, and the front of the property; updated plan if installation differs.

Native plant lists for the area: Tucson

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check Tucson Water's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Complete the Watershed Management Group rainwater harvesting workshop
  2. 2Submit the rebate form and site plan for pre-approval; email decision in 2-4 weeks
  3. 3Install the system; schedule the site visit within one year of design approval
  4. 4Upload signed W-9, receipts or invoices, and updated site plan if changed
  5. 5After document approval call 520-791-4331 or email [email protected] to schedule site visit (installation must be complete)
  6. 6Final review after site visit; check arrives 4-6 weeks after final approval

Timing and deadlines

Pre-approval 2-4 weeks; site visit within 1 year of approval; check 4-6 weeks after final approval

Site visit within one year of design approval

Combining it with other programs

Treebate stacks with storage rebate within the $1,999 cap

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

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

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