Rain gardens and stormwater projects · North Carolina

NCDA Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP)

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

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
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
Maximum
$50,000 per household
Who qualifies
Owners of sites developed for at least 3 years and not in active agriculture; homeowners are eligible. Retrofits only.
Where
Owners of non-agricultural developed sites anywhere in North Carolina, through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Status
Open. FY2027 plan allocates about $136,000 statewide; funding is limited and competitive.
Type of payment
Cost share
Official program page

What you do

Install an approved stormwater practice on a developed property (backyard rain garden, backyard wetland, cistern, permeable pavement, impervious surface conversion, grassed swale, riparian buffer, diversion, streambank stabilization, abandoned well closure) and be reimbursed.

Requirements

  • Site developed 3+ years
  • Practice must be designed to standard (most practices need Design approval)
  • Maintain the practice 5 years on single-family home sites (10 years elsewhere; 1 year for well closure)
  • Applications are ranked competitively by region on water-quality priority
  • District staff verify performance

The plan or design it asks for

Most practices require a design meeting state standards (rain garden, cistern, permeable pavement); some require PE design. District staff help.

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 NCDA CCAP's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Contact your county Soil and Water Conservation District
  2. 2Discuss site and choose practice
  3. 3Submit cost-share application in the district's application window
  4. 4Application ranked and approved by the state Soil and Water Conservation Commission (just-in-time allocation)
  5. 5Implement to design standards and submit receipts
  6. 6Maintain for the required period

Timing and deadlines

Not published; application windows vary by district

Varies by district

Combining it 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 See something out of date?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