Rain gardens and stormwater projects · Wisconsin
Madison Terrace Rain Garden Cost-Sharing Program
Run by City of Madison Engineering Division
- What you get
- Homeowner pays $100 (covers construction, labor, mulch, plants); full cost is about $2,500 and the City pays the rest
- Who qualifies
- Homeowners on streets with a reconstruction or resurfacing project whose terrace meets site criteria: at least 10 ft wide and 15 ft long, 3 ft from driveways, ramps and property lines, not too steep, overflow draining to curb, no high groundwater.
- Where
- Madison homeowners on streets being reconstructed or resurfaced whose terrace meets site criteria.
- Status
- Status not posted. The official page doesn't say whether it's taking applications.
- Type of payment
- Free installation
What you do
Volunteer to have a rain garden built in your street terrace (boulevard) when your street is reconstructed or resurfaced, and maintain it.
Requirements
- Terrace must meet the dimension and drainage criteria; city staff can visit to decide
- Homeowner maintains garden after initial planting under the Terrace Treatment Policy
- Choose from native planting plans
- City weeds, plants, mulches and places sandbags in first growing season
How to apply
- 1Wait for a street reconstruction or resurfacing project on your street
- 2Confirm terrace meets criteria or request a site visit (608-266-4751)
- 3Choose a planting plan
- 4City builds and does first-season establishment
Timing and deadlines
Tied to street project schedule
Not published
Combining it with other programs
Terrace rain gardens can also qualify for stormwater fee adjustment
Sources
- https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/stormwater/programs-initiatives/rain-gardens/terrace-rain-gardens (official page)
- https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/stormwater/programs-initiatives/rain-gardens
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 See something out of date?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
- Status not postedPlan required
Madison Private Rain Garden Reimbursement
City of Madison Engineering Division
Reimbursement calculated with the city's Reimbursement Calculator spreadsheet (rate not published on the page)
- OpenPlan required
Madison Stormwater Utility Credit for Rain Gardens
City of Madison Engineering Division (Stormwater Utility)
Credit amount set by the City's Residential Rain Garden chart (Chart B); percentage not captured
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Fitchburg Stormwater Utility Credit for Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens
City of Fitchburg Public Works Department (Stormwater Utility)
Rain barrel: one-time $6 per 55 gal container (urban) or $5 (rural). Rain garden or pervious pavement: $4 per quarter (urban) or $2 per quarter (rural). Creek Supporter pledge: $2 per quarter urban, $1 rural.