Austin Water WaterWise Rainscape Rebate
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, or Fix Yard Drainage and Reduce Flood or Sewer-Backup Risk.
- Run by
- Austin Water
- Service area
- Residential and school customers of Austin Water and qualifying listed water providers.
Program at a glance
- Benefit
- Base: $0.50 per square foot. Turf removal bonus: additional $0.50 per square foot when applicable.
- Who
- Residential and school customers of Austin Water and qualifying listed water providers.
- Where
- Residential and school customers of Austin Water and qualifying listed water providers.
- 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, or Fix Yard Drainage and Reduce Flood or Sewer-Backup Risk.
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. An approved project reduces runoff, standing water, basement flooding, sewer backup, or repeated flood loss.
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 →Fix Yard Drainage and Reduce Flood or Sewer-Backup Risk
An approved project reduces runoff, standing water, basement flooding, sewer backup, or repeated flood loss.
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, or Fix Yard Drainage and Reduce Flood or Sewer-Backup Risk.
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 Austin Water.
- 2
Open the current official program source
Use the official program link below.
- 3
Collect the before-project evidence
Measured project area. Before photos. Site plan and selected runoff-retention features. Estimated materials and cost.
- 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
After photos. Itemized paid-in-full receipts or invoices. Possible post-inspection.
Details to confirm
- Preapproval must precede work.
- The rebate cannot exceed eligible project cost.
- Current $0.50 and $1,500 figures supersede the legacy 2020 form.
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 Austin Water 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.
- Austin Water WaterWise Rainscape Rebate official source 1 — austintexas.gov
- Austin Water WaterWise Rainscape Rebate official source 2 — austintexas.gov
- Austin Water WaterWise Rainscape Rebate official source 3 — austintexas.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 Landscape Survival Tools Rebate
Compost: $50.00 for at least 2 cubic yards. Mulch: $40.00 for at least 2 cubic yards. Core aeration: $30.00.
Austin Water WaterWise Landscape Rebate
$100 per 100 square feet; 200-square-foot minimum; up to $3,000 residential lifetime maximum.