7 programs · checked October 17, 2026
Yard rebates in Maine
7 programs pay Maine residents for yard projects. 4 list themselves as open now. The largest, Lewiston Treebate Program (Stormwater Fee Credit for Trees), pays up to $100 per household. 1 ask for a plan, sketch or plant list before they approve a project.
Rain barrel and cistern rebates
Rebates, discounts and free barrels for catching roof runoff
- Seasonal
Portland Water District Discounted Rain Barrel Sale
Portland Water District
2025 sale: rain barrel for $84.40 including tax, described as more than 50% off retail (earlier years: 2021 $65 plus tax; 2020 flyer about $68.58)
Stormwater fee credits
Lower your stormwater fee for managing runoff on your lot
- OpenPlan required
Portland Residential Stormwater Service Charge Credit
City of Portland Department of Public Works, Water Resources Division
Reduction of 0.5 stormwater billing unit (SBU) per month for homes billed 1 SBU (400-1,799 sq ft impervious; treat at least 600 sq ft), or 1.0 SBU for homes billed 2 or more SBU (1,800+ sq ft impervious; treat at least 1,200 sq ft). 1 SBU = 1,200 sq ft of impervious area. Stormwater fee is $7.75 per billing unit per month (unchanged effective July 1, 2026), so the credit is worth about $3.88/month (0.5 SBU) or $7.75/month (1.0 SBU).
Up to $93 per household
Tree rebates and free trees
Free trees, tree rebates and shade-tree programs
- Open
Lewiston Treebate Program (Stormwater Fee Credit for Trees)
City of Lewiston Public Works - Trees & Open Spaces Division (City Arborist)
Stormwater fee credit of 50% of the tree cost, up to $100 per tree
Up to $100 per household
- Seasonal
Portland Forestry Co-op Tree Planting Program
City of Portland Parks, Recreation & Facilities - Forestry
Free pickup, planting and site review by city staff; resident pays the nursery for the tree (refunded only if the city cannot plant it). Tree price not published.
Native plant and pollinator rebates
Native plantings, pollinator gardens and lawn-to-meadow conversions
- Open
Cumberland County SWCD Free YardScaping Site Visit and Soil Test
Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District
Free site visit, soil test and recommendation report (service value not published)
- Open
Hancock County SWCD Backyard Rewilding Program
Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District
Free comprehensive site visit and scoring sheet; free certification lawn sign if your yard scores high enough; free pH soil testing (drop box in Ellsworth); native plants sold (not free) in annual Native Plant Sale. Follow-on Technical Landscape Design is paid at $60 per hour.
- Seasonal
South Portland Resilient Yards Program
City of South Portland Sustainability Office (with Cumberland County SWCD and Maine Audubon)
Free compost, mulch and a set of 8 native plants per participating yard, plus volunteer coaching
Cities with their own programs
Each city page lists everything a resident can use, from the city’s own programs to countywide and statewide ones.
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
Plan your Maine yard project in Sow
Lay out the new planting on a photo of your yard and keep the plant list in one place, ready for the application.