In Montgomery County Maryland, (outside the municipalities of Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park) a program called RainScapes Rewards Rebates provides residential and commercial property owners rebates for installing landscaping, rain barrels, permeable driveways and walkways (pavers) and more. Non-permeable surfaces, including compacted lawns, do not have the ability to absorb or divert water properly, which causes runoff. The program was introduced by the county to help alleviate water runoff that can cause flooding and carry sediment into waterways like the Chesapeake Bay.
Homeowners are eligible to receive a lifetime total of $2,500 per RainScapes rebates. Commercial properties, including business, schools, and institutions are eligible to receive a total of $10,000 in RainScapes rebates.
The Montgomery County RainScapes Program advocates the use of landscaping techniques which either store rainwater or reduce water runoff. Below are many of the techniques that, when installed in accordance with Montgomery County requirements, will be eligible for rebates.
To learn more about the program and how it can be implemented on your property, view the Montgomery County video below.
Installing rainscape friendly landscaping and water reclaiming techniques has a wide range of benefits, including:
- Enhancing the beauty of your property
- Reducing sediment-carrying runoff that is harmful to waterways
- Reducing water consumption during dry periods and droughts
- Enhancing wildlife habitats
- Reducing drainage problems
- Reducing the need/space to mow
- Increasing property value
Learn more about the program and what qualifies for rebates, visit:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/rainscapes/about.html
Montgomery County has created PDF documents outlining what is required for each landscape and water reclaiming technique that is eligible for a rebate, found below.
Rainscape Garden
A garden designed to intercept, store and soak in rain water. The surface is depressed 6″ and allows water to create temporary shallow pond that soaks in and away within 24-48 hours.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/downloads/rainscapes/Rebates/Rain-garden.pdf
Conservation Landscaping
A garden designed to slow down and soak up rain using native plants.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/downloads/rainscapes/Rebates/Conservation-Landscape.pdf
Permeable Paving – Pavers
Pavement that is designed to intercept and store rain water.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/downloads/rainscapes/Rebates/PPR.pdf
Pavement Removal
Pavement that is removed or replaced with a conservation landscape, rain garden, tree or sod.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/downloads/rainscapes/Rebates/Pavement-Removal.pdf
Rain Barrels
A barrel connected to a downspout for the purpose of temporarily capturing and storing rain water.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/downloads/rainscapes/Rebates/Rain-barrel.pdf
Water Harvesting Cisterns
A larger version of a rain barrel, typically 250 gallons or larger.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/Resources/Files/downloads/rainscapes/Rebates/Cistern.pdf
Interested in installing a rainscape garden, conservation landscaping or permeable paving on your property? Contact the landscaping experts at Chesapeake Landscape Group. We’ll evaluate your property and help design a solution that will not only benefit you and your property, but Mother Earth as well.
