Irrigation upgrades · British Columbia

RDN Irrigation Upgrade and Soil Improvement Rebates

Run by Regional District of Nanaimo

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 22, 2026
What you get
Smart controller up to $100; rain sensor up to $75; drip conversion up to $400; MP rotators up to $100; topsoil, compost or mulch 50% up to $200 plus delivery 50% up to $100; $100 bonus for doing both irrigation and soil; maximum $1,075 per property
Maximum
$1,075 per household
Who qualifies
Residential landowners with an existing automated irrigation system and/or garden or lawn in the Regional District of Nanaimo; stratas are now eligible.
Where
Residential property owners anywhere in the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Status
Open. Open for 2026, first-come first-served until funds run out.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Upgrade your automated irrigation system (smart controller, rain sensor, drip or MP rotators) using a certified irrigation professional, and/or add topsoil, compost or mulch to lawns and garden beds.

Requirements

  • Irrigation upgrades must be done by an IIABC-certified irrigation professional
  • Soil improvements on at least 37 square metres (400 sq ft), at least 50 mm deep in beds and 6 mm on lawns
  • One irrigation rebate per landowner over the program's life; the soil/mulch rebate can be claimed every 3 calendar years
  • Pre-approval with before photos showing scale and the problem areas
  • All work and paperwork between January 1 and December 15, 2026

The plan or design it asks for

The pre-approval form asks for a description of the planned upgrade plus before photos of the landscape area with scale and a fixed reference point.

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 Regional District of Nanaimo's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Plan your upgrade (the RDN Landscape Guide to Water Efficiency helps)
  2. 2Submit the pre-approval application and before photos to [email protected] or 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo
  3. 3On approval, complete the work within 90 days
  4. 4Submit the claim form with receipts and after photos

Timing and deadlines

December 15, 2026

Sources

Last checked October 22, 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 See something out of date?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

Free to cite

Quote it with credit and a link to this page. The amounts and rules come from Regional District of Nanaimo's official page, linked above, so check it before you publish.

Source: Sow, “RDN Irrigation Upgrade and Soil Improvement Rebates,” Yard rebates directory, checked October 22, 2026, https://www.usesow.com/rebates/british-columbia/rdn-irrigation-soil-improvement-rebates

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