Rain gardens and stormwater projects · District of Columbia

DOEE RiverSmart Homes

Run by DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)

OpenLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Rain barrel $100 copay each (max 2); shade trees free (no limit); rain garden $200 copay per 50 sq ft (max 2); BayScaping $200 copay per 120 sq ft (max 2); permeable pavers rebate $15/sq ft and re-vegetation rebate $8/sq ft (max $6,000 per property, MS4 sewershed, Ward 7 and Ward 8 only)
Maximum
$6,000 per household
Who qualifies
DC residential properties with four or fewer units. Renters can participate with the owner's consent. Apartment complexes, condos and offices are not eligible (see RiverSmart Communities / Rebates). Homes that already received every feature they qualify for are not eligible for more.
Where
DC residential properties with 4 or fewer units; renters need owner consent.
Status
Open. (waitlist for audit; current funding level not published)
Type of payment
Free installation
Official program page

What you do

Get a free DOEE stormwater audit, then have DOEE-contracted crews install rain barrels, shade trees, rain gardens, BayScaping native gardens, and (in some areas) permeable pavers or re-vegetation at your home for a small co-payment.

Requirements

  • Property must pass the DOEE stormwater audit, which decides which features you qualify for
  • Pay the co-payment per feature
  • Renters need property owner consent
  • Pavers and re-vegetation rebates only for homes in the MS4 sewershed, Ward 7 or Ward 8

How to apply

  1. 1Complete the online RiverSmart Homes application on the DOEE page
  2. 2You are added to the waitlist for a free stormwater audit
  3. 3When you reach the top of the list a DOEE auditor contacts you to schedule the audit
  4. 4Auditor determines which features your property qualifies for
  5. 5Agree to features and pay co-payments; crews install

Timing and deadlines

Waitlist length not published.

not published

Combining it with other programs

Participants are automatically enrolled in RiverSmart Rewards bill discounts; can be paired with Casey Trees Tree Rebate only for trees not installed by the program (inference).

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 See something out of date?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

More programs near the same area

  • OpenPlan required

    DOEE RiverSmart Rebates Permeable Surface Rebate

    DC DOEE (administered by Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay)

    $15 per sq ft permeable pavers (min 100 sq ft); $8 per sq ft vegetation (min 200 sq ft); up to $6,000 per property

    Up to $6,000 per household

  • OpenPlan required

    DOEE RiverSmart Rebates Rain Garden Rebate

    DC DOEE (administered by Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay)

    $41 per sq ft of garden area, up to $3,000

    Up to $3,000 per household

  • Status not posted

    Casey Trees Tree Rebate

    Casey Trees

    $50 per tree expected to reach canopy 40 ft or less; $100 per tree expected to exceed 40 ft canopy; up to 25 trees per property or applicant

    Up to $2,500 per household

  • Open

    DOEE RiverSmart Rebates Rain Barrel Rebate

    DC DOEE (administered by Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay)

    $2 per gallon of barrel capacity plus up to $150 for contractor and/or installation supplies; never more than actual cost

    Up to $1,000 per household

  • Open

    DCSEU Electric Lawn Mower Rebate

    DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), contracted by DOEE

    $75 off an electric push mower; $500 off an electric riding mower

    Up to $500 per household

  • Waitlist

    DOEE RiverSmart Homes BayScaping Native Garden

    DC DOEE (RiverSmart Homes)

    $200 copayment for one BayScape of about 120 sq ft (overview page says up to two gardens)

    Up to $200 per household