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Active; rolling and funding-limitedLast verified 8/11/26

RiverSmart Permeable Surface Rebate

Replace impervious surface with an approved vegetated area or engineered permeable-paver system.

Run by
District Department of Energy and Environment
Service area
Wards 7 and 8 and eligible Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System areas.

Program at a glance

Benefit
$8 per square foot for vegetation or $15 per square foot for PICP; up to $6,000.
Who
A property owner or authorized applicant in the eligible area.
Where
Wards 7 and 8 or an eligible MS4 location.
Qualifying project
Replace impervious surface with an approved vegetated area or engineered permeable-paver system.

Quick check

Do the main rules appear to fit?

Your answers stay in this page session. The program makes the final decision.

1. Is the property in Ward 7, Ward 8, or an eligible MS4 area?

Use DOEE's current location guidance.

2. Will the project replace enough impervious surface for the chosen route?

The paver and vegetation routes have different minimums.

3. Has no work started and have no materials been purchased?

Written approval is the safe rule.

Answer each question for a cautious result.

The rules remain visible here even if the interactive check is unavailable.

The finished result

What project qualifies?

Convert hard, runoff-producing surface into an approved permeable surface.

The completed vegetated or permeable-paver system infiltrates stormwater and passes DOEE review.

Vegetated permeable surface

Remove impervious surface and replace it with an approved vegetated design.

Minimum: 200 square feet

See the full project guide →

Permeable interlocking concrete pavers

Remove impervious surface and install an engineered PICP system with specified layers.

Minimum: 100 square feet

See the full project guide →

What the project may require

A product can be one part of the work. The approved project, timing, design, and proof control.

Remove the existing impervious surface

required

Creates the approved conversion area.

Meet the route minimum before installing the new system.

Approved permeable-surface design

required

Defines the project route, area, infiltration, and construction profile.

Submit the design and receive written approval before work.

PICP-qualified contractor

conditional

Installs the engineered paver route.

Required when the project uses permeable interlocking concrete pavers.

Paver subbase

conditional

Stores and infiltrates runoff below the paver system.

No. 2 open-graded aggregate, at least six inches.

Paver base

conditional

Supports the paver system while passing water.

No. 57 open-graded aggregate, four inches.

Paver bedding and joints

conditional

Beds the pavers and keeps the joints permeable.

No. 8, No. 89, or No. 9 aggregate as specified by the approved system.

Final documentation and review

required

Confirms the completed project and payment package.

Submit photos, measurements, an itemized paid invoice, and the maintenance agreement.

Official path: official page

How to apply or check the program

  1. 1

    Check location and choose a route

    Confirm current geography and choose vegetation or PICP.

  2. 2

    Prepare the design

    Include photos, measurements, utility marking, infiltration information, and contractor details.

  3. 3

    Wait for written approval

    Do not start or purchase materials while waiting.

  4. 4

    Complete and document

    Finish within three months and submit final photos, measurements, invoice, and agreement.

Open the application from the official DOEE page

After the program confirms the plan

Planning the approved project?

For an approved PICP design, Hello Gravel can help estimate separate layer quantities and obtain supplier confirmation for numbered aggregates.

Possible inputs: No. 2 subbase, No. 57 base, No. 8, No. 89, or No. 9 bedding and joint aggregate

Plan the approved paver-system materials

Details to confirm

  • The official location screen is essential; not every DC property qualifies.
  • The external application endpoint returned an error during verification; launch it from DOEE.

Examples that do not qualify

  • Loose gravel without an approved PICP system.
  • A project already required by a DOEE stormwater management plan.

Questions people ask

Does ordinary gravel qualify?

No. Aggregate qualifies only as a specified layer in an approved PICP system.

Can I install the pavers myself?

No for the PICP route; a PICP-qualified contractor is required.

How long do I have after approval?

The current program says three months.

Last verified 8/11/26

Official sources

Use these official sources for current rules, availability, and application details.

Report a change or missing program

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