Rain barrels and cisterns · Maryland
Montgomery County RainScapes Rain Barrels and Cisterns Rebate
Run by Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection
- What you get
- $1 per gallon of capacity, up to $750 residential
- Maximum
- $750 per household
- Who qualifies
- Property owners in Montgomery County outside Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park.
- Where
- Property owners in Montgomery County outside Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park.
- Status
- Open. (first come, first served)
- Type of payment
- Rebate
What you do
Install a rain barrel or cistern after planner site assessment and plan approval.
Requirements
- Plan approved before installation
- Follow Water Harvesting Project Manual and county requirements page
- Call 811 before installing
- Final inspection and receipts
- Maintain; inspections every 3 years
- Counts toward $7,500 residential parcel cap
The plan or design it asks for
Plan submitted to planner after site assessment, approved before installation.
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 Montgomery County DEP's rules for exactly what to submit.
How to apply
- 1Submit online RainScapes application with Property Tax ID
- 2Planner site assessment (about 6-8 weeks)
- 3Submit and get plan approved
- 4Install within 6 months of approval
- 5Final inspection, submit receipts, sign Property Owner Agreement
- 6Check by mail 8-12 weeks after inspection
Timing and deadlines
Checks typically 8-12 weeks after final inspection
Install within 6 months of plan approval
Combining it with other programs
Water Quality Protection Charge credit; other RainScapes practices up to cap
Sources
- https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/propertycare/rainscapes/rainscapes-water-harvesting (official page)
- https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/propertycare/rainscapes/rainscapes-rewards-rebate-application-guide
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 See something out of date?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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