Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Maryland

Montgomery County RainScapes Rain Garden and Conservation Landscape

Run by Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Rain garden $10 per sq ft (min 75 sq ft); conservation landscape $5 per sq ft with no ponding or $6 per sq ft with 3 inches of ponding (250 sq ft minimum for the $6 rate). Residential total capped at $7,500 per parcel across all RainScapes practices.
Maximum
$7,500 per household
Who qualifies
Property owners in Montgomery County outside the cities of Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park.
Where
Property owners in Montgomery County outside Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park.
Status
Open. (first come, first served; applications being accepted)
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Install a rain garden or a conservation landscape (native planting that replaces lawn) after a county planner site assessment and plan approval.

Requirements

  • Rain garden: at least 75 sq ft, at least 75% native plants, surface depressed 6 inches, drains in 24-48 hours, spongy soil
  • Plan approved BEFORE installing; projects installed before site assessment and plan approval do not qualify
  • Call 811 MISS Utility before digging
  • Plan due within 3 months of the site assessment report
  • Install within 6 months of plan approval
  • Final inspection by planner
  • Keep receipts; rebate is based on acceptable receipts up to approved amount
  • Sign Property Owner Agreement; project inspected every 3 years and must be maintained
  • Pro or DIY allowed; county minimum standards apply

The plan or design it asks for

After the planner's site assessment, you submit a design plan for county review within 3 months; must be approved before installation. Follow the Stormwater Gardens Project Manual.

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.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Identify goals and check your property for water problems
  2. 2Pick a project type
  3. 3Submit online application with Property Tax ID (existing plan or site photos can be uploaded)
  4. 4Wait about 6-8 weeks for an assigned RainScapes planner
  5. 5Planner does site assessment; submit plan within 3 months
  6. 6Planner approves plan; call 811 and install within 6 months
  7. 7Schedule final inspection with planner
  8. 8Submit receipts and sign the Property Owner Agreement
  9. 9Receive check; then apply for Water Quality Protection Charge credit

Timing and deadlines

6-8 weeks to hear from planner; goal of plan approval within 6 months of applying; checks typically 8-12 weeks after final inspection

Plan within 3 months of assessment; install within 6 months of plan approval

Combining it with other programs

Water Quality Protection Charge credit after rebate; other RainScapes practices up to the parcel cap

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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