Raleigh Rainwater Rewards
The program may support one of these project types: Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard, Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio, Capture Rainwater in a Barrel or Cistern, or Install a Green Roof or Large-Site Green Infrastructure.
- Run by
- City of Raleigh Stormwater
- Service area
- Properties inside Raleigh city limits that pay the city's stormwater utility fee.
Program at a glance
- Benefit
- Standard cost share: 90% of eligible cost. Qualified subsidy: up to 100%. Permeable pavement basis: 90% of incremental cost over traditional pavement.
- Who
- Properties inside Raleigh city limits that pay the city's stormwater utility fee.
- Where
- Properties inside Raleigh city limits that pay the city's stormwater utility fee.
- Qualifying project
- The program may support one of these project types: Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard, Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio, Capture Rainwater in a Barrel or Cistern, or Install a Green Roof or Large-Site Green Infrastructure.
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.
An approved planted feature slows, stores, filters, or infiltrates runoff on the property. Impervious pavement is removed or replaced with an approved surface and base that lets water pass through. Roof runoff is captured in an approved container and reused or released safely. A roof or large property stores, slows, treats, or reuses stormwater through an engineered green-infrastructure system.
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 →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 →Capture Rainwater in a Barrel or Cistern
Roof runoff is captured in an approved container and reused or released safely.
See the full project guide →Install a Green Roof or Large-Site Green Infrastructure
A roof or large property stores, slows, treats, or reuses stormwater through an engineered green-infrastructure system.
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: Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard, Replace Pavement or Build a Permeable Driveway or Patio, Capture Rainwater in a Barrel or Cistern, or Install a Green Roof or Large-Site Green Infrastructure.
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 City of Raleigh Stormwater.
- 2
Open the current official program source
Use the official program link below.
- 3
Collect the before-project evidence
Concept application. Site information. Final design. Itemized estimate. Soil or infiltration testing when required. Executed legal agreement.
- 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
Paid invoices. After photos. Final inspection and approval.
Details to confirm
- Removal and ordinary replacement paving are not part of the permeable-pavement incremental reimbursement.
- Approval time depends on award size, plus legal-agreement time.
- A five- or ten-year maintenance commitment and annual reporting can apply.
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 City of Raleigh Stormwater 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.
- Raleigh Rainwater Rewards official source 1 — raleighnc.gov
- Raleigh Rainwater Rewards official source 2 — raleighnc.gov
- Raleigh Rainwater Rewards official source 3 — raleighnc.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.