Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Virginia
NVSWCD Conservation Assistance Program (CAP/VCAP)
Run by Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
- What you get
- Rates and caps not published on district page; statewide VCAP says most practices up to 80%
- Who qualifies
- Property in Fairfax County or City of Fairfax with stormwater problem (erosion, poor groundcover, excess runoff). Not for compliance fixes or regulatory stormwater installs. New construction has 1-year wait.
- Where
- Property owners in Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax with a stormwater or erosion problem.
- Status
- Open. Accepting site visit requests; funding availability not stated.
- Type of payment
- Cost share
What you do
Request a site visit, then install a recommended practice (rain garden, conservation landscaping, impervious surface removal, dry well, bioretention, infiltration trench, permeable pavement replacing existing impervious, rainwater harvesting, green roof, living shoreline, vegetated conveyance).
Requirements
- Owner agrees to maintain practice 10 years
- Project must not interfere with regulatory stormwater management
- Permeable pavement only when replacing existing impervious surface
- Submit application checklist and supporting documents
- District Board and VASWCD steering committee approval before installing
The plan or design it asks for
Staff recommendations report and application checklist; project plan submitted with checklist before contract/approval
Native plant lists for the area: Centreville
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 NVSWCD's rules for exactly what to submit.
How to apply
- 1Submit site visit request form (not a funding application)
- 2Staff review eligibility, then schedule site visit (possible wait list)
- 3Receive recommendations report and application checklist
- 4Plan project and submit checklist and documents
- 5Staff provide application contract; board and steering committee decide
- 6Install after approval
- 7Staff inspect and help with reimbursement
Timing and deadlines
Site visit wait lists possible; other timing not published
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 See something out of date?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
More programs near the same area
- Seasonal
NVSWCD Annual Native Seedling Sale
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
$20 per package of 4 native seedlings (Pick of the Patch: pawpaw and American plum; Berry Bonanza: serviceberry and elderberry)
- Seasonal
NVSWCD Low-Cost Rain Barrel Workshops and Sales
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
Build-your-own workshop $55 per barrel; pre-made barrel $80 at distribution events (low-cost, discounted)
- OpenPlan required
City of Fairfax Stormwater Utility Credits
City of Fairfax Department of Public Works, Stormwater Utility
Tree Canopy Expansion: 1 billing unit (BU) per set of 2 trees, max 3 BU (2 more BU if in a resource protection area), 2 years. Tree Canopy Preservation: 1 BU per 50 inches total trunk diameter, max 3 BU, 2 years. No Fertilizer Pledge: flat 5%, 1 year. Nutrient Management Plan: up to 10%, 3 years. TLC volunteering: 1 BU per 4 hours, max 3 BU (or 1% per 2 hours, max 15% per event), up to 3 events a year. Every property pays at least 1 BU. BU = 500 sq ft impervious cover; dollar value per BU not in brochure.
- Open
Fairfax County Free Trees Direct Ship
Fairfax County Public Works and Environmental Services, Urban and Community Forestry, with Arbor Day Foundation
Up to two free one-gallon trees per household, delivered with stakes and protective shelters