Rain gardens and stormwater projects · North Carolina

City of Raleigh Rainwater Rewards (R3)

Run by City of Raleigh Stormwater Management

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
City pays 90% of eligible project cost (effective 2026-07-01, citywide); 100% under the Subsidy Program for owners in potentially underserved communities, nonprofits and places of worship
Who qualifies
Property inside Raleigh city limits that pays the city stormwater fee. Projects required by regulation or used for utility fee credits do not qualify.
Where
Properties inside Raleigh city limits that pay the city stormwater fee.
Status
Open. Page does not state funding availability; contact [email protected] or 919-996-3965.
Type of payment
Cost share
Official program page

What you do

Install a stormwater project on your property: cistern, downspout disconnection, green roof, impervious surface removal, permeable pavement, rain garden or constructed wetland, using a contractor, and get reimbursed.

Requirements

  • Final design approval before construction
  • 5- or 10-year maintenance agreement signed via DocuSign
  • Annual maintenance report each year
  • Rain garden applicants run a soil infiltration test before applying
  • One year after approval to finish construction
  • Submit construction photos and invoices, then final site visit
  • Recipients may receive a 1099

The plan or design it asks for

Staff site visit and final design approval before work starts; design details not published on the page.

Native plant lists for the area: Raleigh

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 Raleigh's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Submit the Rainwater Rewards Consultation Request Form; staff call within 5 business days and schedule a site visit
  2. 2Submit application and get approval (about 2 weeks up to $10,000; 6 weeks for $10,000.01-$30,000; 10 weeks above $30,000)
  3. 3Sign legal agreement via DocuSign (about 4 weeks)
  4. 4Build the project within one year
  5. 5Submit photos, invoices and request final inspection (about 1 week)
  6. 6City approves cost share and mails a check (about 3 weeks)
  7. 7Maintain 5-10 years and file annual maintenance report

Timing and deadlines

Roughly 2-10 weeks approval, about 4 weeks agreement, about 3 weeks to payment after inspection

Not published

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

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