Front Yard Initiative
The program may support one of these project types: Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio or Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard.
- Run by
- Urban Conservancy
- Service area
- The historical incentive covered eligible paving removal in front yards, certain side yards, and public rights-of-way in Orleans Parish. Backyards and neutral grounds were excluded under the final published rules.
Program at a glance
- Benefit
- $2.50 per square foot of impervious paving removed.
- Who
- The historical incentive covered eligible paving removal in front yards, certain side yards, and public rights-of-way in Orleans Parish. Backyards and neutral grounds were excluded under the final published rules.
- Where
- The historical incentive covered eligible paving removal in front yards, certain side yards, and public rights-of-way in Orleans Parish. Backyards and neutral grounds were excluded under the final published rules.
- Qualifying project
- The program may support one of these project types: Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio or Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard.
Quick check
Do the main rules appear to fit?
Your answers stay in this page session. The program makes the final decision.
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?
This program may support more than one approved project route. The program’s plan and written decision control which route applies to the property.
Impervious pavement is removed or replaced with an approved surface and base that lets water pass through. An approved planted feature slows, stores, filters, or infiltrates runoff on the property.
Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio
Impervious pavement is removed or replaced with an approved surface and base that lets water pass through.
See the full project guide →Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard
An approved planted feature slows, stores, filters, or infiltrates runoff on the property.
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.
Complete the approved property project
requiredCreates the finished outcome the program supports.
The program may support one of these project types: Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio or Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard.
Official path: official page
How to apply or check the program
- 1
Confirm the property
Verify the service area, account, ownership, applicant, and property type with Urban Conservancy.
- 2
Open the current official program source
Use the official program link below.
- 3
Collect the before-project evidence
Signed property-owner application. Design-workshop attendance. Design showing paving-removal square footage, fixtures, plants, and materials.
- 4
Get approval when required
Get written approval before removing, buying, signing, or installing anything the program treats as project work.
- 5
Complete only the approved scope
Keep design changes and material substitutions in writing.
- 6
Submit the completion package
Completed design matching the approved plan. Site access for possible inspection.
Details to confirm
- The administrator closed the financial incentive even though an official city resource page still describes it as active.
- Historically, the design needed approval before work for any funding commitment.
- Gravel was allowed in an approved permeable design. The rules did not establish a blanket gravel-only entitlement.
Examples that do not qualify
- Buying gravel, soil, mulch, or another product by itself does not create eligibility.
Questions people ask
Is this a rebate for buying gravel or another material?
No. The program supports the qualifying property project described above. A material purchase matters only when it serves the approved design and follows the program’s payment rules.
Can I start before applying?
Get written approval before removing, buying, signing, or installing anything the program treats as project work.
Does appearing eligible guarantee funding?
No. Current status, funding, ranking, inspection, and final approval can still affect the outcome.
Who decides whether a material substitution qualifies?
The program or its designated designer. Ask Urban Conservancy to approve the exact substitute in writing before ordering.
Last verified 8/11/26
Official sources
Use these official sources for current rules, availability, and application details.
- Front Yard Initiative official source 1 — urbanconservancy.org
- Front Yard Initiative official source 2 — urbanconservancy.org
- Front Yard Initiative official source 3 — urbanconservancy.org
- Front Yard Initiative official source 4 — urbanconservancy.org
- Front Yard Initiative official source 5 — urbanconservancy.org
- Front Yard Initiative official source 6 — urbanconservancy.org
- Front Yard Initiative official source 7 — urbanconservancy.org
- Front Yard Initiative official source 8 — nola.gov
More programs to check
Atlanta Post-Development Stormwater Management Ordinance
Cash benefit: none. Required retention: first 1.0 inch of runoff on site.
Austin Water WaterWise Rainscape Rebate
Base: $0.50 per square foot. Turf removal bonus: additional $0.50 per square foot when applicable.
Burlington Blue BTV Residential Stormwater Program
2026 site maximum: $2,000.00. Linked chart permeable pavers: up to $2,000.00. Linked chart rain garden or bioretention: up to $1,500.00. Linked chart infiltration trench or dry well: up to $1,500.00.