Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Illinois

City of Champaign Stormwater Incentive: Rain Garden and Rain Barrel

Run by City of Champaign (Stormwater Utility)

Status not postedPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Rain garden $250 (prorated if under 100 sq ft); rain barrel $25 each, no limit; other features 25% of cost up to $250 per category, max $750
Maximum
$1,000 per household
Who qualifies
Any property in the City of Champaign (single-family and duplex included for incentives). Incentives and fee credits are mutually exclusive, but single-family/duplex can still take the 15% detention basin maintenance credit.
Where
Any property in the City of Champaign, including single-family and duplex homes.
Status
Status not posted. The official page doesn't say whether it's taking applications.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program pageSome details here could not be confirmed on an official page. Check them there first.

What you do

Install a rain garden (min 50 sq ft; full $250 at 100 sq ft with 500 sq ft of impervious area draining in) or buy a rain barrel, then claim the City incentive. Other features (permeable pavement, cistern, green roof) get 25% of cost up to $250 per category.

Requirements

  • Rain garden: ponding area to capture and infiltrate 1 inch of rain on the contributing roof/pavement within 24 hours; native perennial plants; one reimbursed rain garden per property
  • Rain garden: submit plan for City review and approval BEFORE building; City inspects after construction
  • Rain barrel: proof of purchase
  • Other features: plan approval before construction, documented costs, inspection
  • Lifetime cap of $1,000 per property across rain garden and other feature incentives (rain barrels excluded)

The plan or design it asks for

Rain garden plan (size, contributing impervious area, ponding depth) submitted for City approval before construction.

Native plant lists for the area: Champaign

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 City of Champaign's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Download the current Incentive Application Form from the City website or get it from the City
  2. 2Complete the form and attach the plan (rain garden/other features) or proof of purchase (rain barrel)
  3. 3Submit to the address on the form
  4. 4City reviews within 30 working days and notifies you
  5. 5Build, get City inspection, submit cost documentation, City pays the owner

Timing and deadlines

City reviews applications within 30 working days; payment after inspection (features) or proof of purchase (barrel)

not published

Combining it with other programs

Not combinable with stormwater fee credits except the 15% detention basin credit

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