Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Nebraska

City of Lincoln Rainscaping Lincoln Sustainable Landscapes Cost Share

Run by City of Lincoln Watershed Management Division

Out of fundsPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
50% of qualifying expenses, up to $2,000 per applicant (add-on rain barrels and trees count toward the cap)
Maximum
$2,000 per household
Who qualifies
Lincoln property owners who live within Lincoln city limits and own the property where the project will be. Businesses and organizations may also be eligible (contact staff). Not recommended for properties with basement seepage or a continuously running sump pump.
Where
Property owners inside Lincoln city limits.
Status
Out of funds. 2026 round is full and no longer accepting applications; next window expected spring 2027 (not announced)
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Install a rain garden or bioswale, a Waterwise (native or deep-rooting turfgrass) lawn, or remove pavement (at least 100 sq ft) and replace it with plants, turf or a permeable paver system. Up to 2 rain barrels and/or 2 approved trees can be added to a qualifying project.

Requirements

  • Application must be approved by Watershed Management and an agreement signed BEFORE any work starts; work done before acceptance is not reimbursable
  • Projects follow the city's BMP Design Guidelines
  • Projects other than waterwise lawns cannot be in the public right-of-way or directly above buried utilities; follow deed restrictions and ordinances
  • Rain barrels: standard size 40-60 gallons, add-on only (not stand-alone)
  • Trees: add-on only, must be on Nebraska Statewide Arboretum approved species list, purchase price no more than $300 each
  • Reimbursable: plants, soil amendments, hardwood mulch, stone, downspout extensions, grading, equipment rental, contractor design and installation labor, rain garden/barrel workshop fees
  • Not reimbursable: homeowner or non-professional labor, annuals/vegetables/invasive plants, ornaments, edging, irrigation equipment, retaining walls, raised beds, French drains, dry wells, tools, overseeding an existing lawn, bluegrass/ryegrass/zoysia, non-permeable pavers
  • Photos required and project maintained at least 5 years
  • No minimum project cost; DIY installation or approved professional allowed (but own labor is not reimbursable)

The plan or design it asks for

Application must describe the proposed project and follow the BMP Design Guidelines; exact plan contents not published on the page fetched.

Native plant lists for the area: Lincoln

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 Lincoln's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Apply during the annual application window (2026 window was March 23 to April 24, 2026) via the city's Rainscaping Lincoln page
  2. 2Wait for staff to approve, deny or waitlist (reviewed in order received)
  3. 3Sign the agreement before starting work
  4. 4Install the project (2026 installation season May to September)
  5. 5Document with photos and keep receipts, and submit for reimbursement by the completion deadline (October 23, 2026 for the 2026 round)
  6. 6Maintain the project at least 5 years

Timing and deadlines

2026 installation May-September, completion deadline October 23, 2026; payment timing not published

2026 apps March 23-April 24; 2026 projects complete by October 23, 2026

Combining it with other programs

Lower Platte South NRD cost share applies only outside Lincoln limits; stacking with other programs not published

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