Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Virginia

VASWCD Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP)

Run by Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) with local SWCDs

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Most practices up to 80% reimbursement of cost; some practices get a flat incentive up to installation cost. Exact rates vary by practice and district.
Who qualifies
Property owners (residential, commercial, recreational) in a participating SWCD whose site has a resource concern: erosion, poor vegetative cover (under 75% density) or excess runoff. Some districts also exclude new homes for 3 years after occupancy permit (stated in Alexandria listing).
Where
Property owners in participating Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts, not every locality statewide.
Status
Open. State page copyrighted 2026 with PY27 graphics; funding availability varies by district, first come first served in some districts.
Type of payment
Cost share
Official program page

What you do

Install an approved stormwater or conservation practice on your property (rain garden, bioretention, rainwater harvesting, conservation landscaping, permeable pavement, impervious surface removal, dry well, infiltration, vegetated conveyance, green roof, living shoreline, constructed wetland) after a site visit and approved design plan.

Requirements

  • Site assessment by SWCD staff to confirm a resource concern and best-fit practice
  • Design plan covering materials, installation, function and maintenance
  • Approval by local SWCD board and VCAP Steering Committee before installing
  • Installation must begin within 90 days of approval and finish by June of the following calendar year
  • SWCD verifies installation matches approval before payment
  • Maintain practice for its lifespan (5 or 10 years) with spot checks
  • Per-practice caps: not published on state page

The plan or design it asks for

Design plan with materials, installation details, function and maintenance, prepared with SWCD help before application review and approval.

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 VASWCD's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Contact your local SWCD (find it via the district directory) to discuss interest and eligibility
  2. 2SWCD staff visit for a site assessment and choose the practice
  3. 3Create the design plan with SWCD
  4. 4SWCD board and VCAP Steering Committee review and approve
  5. 5Install within 90 days of approval, finish by June of next calendar year
  6. 6Request payment; SWCD verifies installation, then a check is written for the approved amount
  7. 7Maintain practice for 5 or 10 years

Timing and deadlines

Install start within 90 days of approval; complete by June of following year; payment check after verification.

Installation by June of the calendar year after approval

Combining it with other programs

Not published; local stormwater credits may apply separately

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