Rain gardens and stormwater projects · California

City of Palo Alto Stormwater Rebates (Barrels, Cisterns, Rain Gardens)

Run by City of Palo Alto Watershed Protection with Valley Water

OpenLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Rain barrel $70 each (40-199 gal, $35 city + $35 Valley Water); cistern $1.00 per gallon (200+ gal); rain garden $2 per sq ft of roof area diverted up to $600 (min 100 sq ft diverted)
Maximum
$6,000 per household
Who qualifies
Property owners in Palo Alto (renters need owner's written consent); residential and commercial.
Where
Property owners in Palo Alto, residential and commercial; renters need the owner's written consent.
Status
Open. Pages do not state funding end; the pervious pavement rebate closed summer 2026.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Install a rain barrel, cistern or rain garden that captures roof runoff.

Requirements

  • Lifetime cap $6,000 for single-family/small multifamily combined with landscape conversion and irrigation rebates; City stormwater rebate lifetime max $3,000 residential per rain barrel page
  • Barrels made for rainwater capture (no homemade or wine barrels), screened inlet, spigot within 3 in of bottom, solid color, level surface raised 6 in, existing gutters and downspouts, overflow directed away
  • Cisterns and rain gardens must be installed by a licensed contractor
  • No harvesting from untreated metal, copper, treated wood, lead flashing or asbestos roofs
  • Permit or consultation for stacked barrels, pumps, potable or irrigation connections, below-ground cisterns, over 5,000 gal; call (650) 329-2496 option 3
  • Do not buy or install before applying

How to apply

  1. 1Read the City Terms and Conditions
  2. 2Create a Valley Water portal account and complete the Stormwater Rebate Application (barrels: within 14 days after purchase, or before)
  3. 3Wait for Notice to Proceed (after any City permit)
  4. 4Install per application
  5. 5Upload photos and final documents; payment within 6 to 8 weeks of final approval

Timing and deadlines

Payment 6-8 weeks after final approval

Combining it with other programs

Shares cap with Valley Water Landscape Rebates

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 See something out of date?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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