Rain gardens and stormwater projects · North Carolina

Mecklenburg SWCD Urban Cost Share Program

Run by Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District

Status not postedLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
75% of allowable costs, up to $7,500
Maximum
$7,500 per household
Who qualifies
Land users in approved watersheds; full practice list in Charlotte and unincorporated county; the six towns limited to streambank stabilization and tied riparian buffers because of grant restrictions. Approved watershed list not on the page.
Where
Charlotte and unincorporated Mecklenburg County for all practices; six towns (Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson) only for streambank stabilization and riparian buffers.
Status
Status not posted. The official page doesn't say whether it's taking applications.
Type of payment
Cost share
Official program page

What you do

Install an approved best management practice on your property (rain garden, grassed swale, critical area planting, streambank stabilization, riparian buffer) to reduce erosion and runoff, and get reimbursed.

Requirements

  • Do not start work before notice of board approval; earlier costs are not reimbursable
  • Maintain the practice at least 5 years under contract
  • Applications ranked by water quality benefit and funded in rank order as funds allow
  • Eligible practices: streambank stabilization, riparian buffers (countywide); critical area planting, grassed waterway, pet waste receptacles, rain garden (Charlotte and unincorporated only)

How to apply

  1. 1Complete the Urban Cost Share Interest Form (English or Spanish)
  2. 2District staff review the form and property maps
  3. 3Staff schedule a site assessment and help with the application
  4. 4Applications are ranked and funded in rank order as funds allow
  5. 5After board approval, install per BMP guidance and seek reimbursement

Timing and deadlines

not published

not published

Combining it with other programs

not published; compare with state CCAP cost share

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 See something out of date?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

  • Open

    Charlotte Water Smart Irrigation Program

    Charlotte Water

    Irrigation water use capped at the Tier 3 rate (avoids Tier 4); dollar savings not published. Irrigation-meter connection fees can be spread over 12 monthly bill payments; capacity fees for residential split-service irrigation meters eliminated.

  • OpenPlan required

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services Fee Credits

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services

    SCM credit: amount by calculation (not stated on page); Pond credit up to 48%; Catawba River/Lake credit up to 96.4%; County Line credit: no fee

  • Seasonal

    City of Charlotte Canopy Care Tree Assistance

    City of Charlotte Planning, Design and Development

    City-provided arborist services; cost to resident and income limits not published on the page

  • OpenPlan required

    NCDA Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP)

    NC Dept of Agriculture, Division of Soil and Water Conservation (CCAP)

    Up to 75% of approved costs; FY2027 plan caps allocation at $50,000 per project (county page still cites $35,000); repair contracts capped at $5,000

    Up to $50,000 per household

  • Status not posted

    Mecklenburg SWCD Rain Barrel Sale

    Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services

    60-gallon $114, 80-gallon $129 (including tax), per a search excerpt of the official page