Partner brief: the plans and the county rebates, on one page
Rebate-Ready Garden sells ready-made native planting plans built on local stormwater rebate programs. This page is the one link to hand to landscapers, watershed groups, master gardeners, and HOAs. It lists the five rebate programs our plans are built for, what each plan includes, what it costs, and which editions are on sale.
Local stormwater programs pay homeowners to plant rain gardens and native beds that soak up runoff. Most homeowners never hear about the programs, or stall on the paperwork. Our plans close that gap: the planting layout and the filing packet in one PDF, matched to the program's published rules.
The money on the table: five local programs
Program terms checked October 19, 2026, against each program's published rules.
| Program | Rate | Cap | Key conditions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County RainScapes (MD) | $10 per sq ft | Up to $7,500 per home | Rain gardens | Accepting applications |
| Prince George's County Rain Check (MD), run by the Chesapeake Bay Trust | $10 per sq ft for rain gardens; $5 per sq ft for conservation landscaping | Up to $6,000 lifetime per residential property | Rain gardens start at 100 sq ft. City of Bowie excluded | Funding-limited |
| Washington, DC RiverSmart Homes | $41 per sq ft | $3,000 | The site must drain at least 400 sq ft of roof or pavement | Funding-limited |
| Fairfax County VCAP / Fairfax CAP (VA) | 80% or 35% of eligible costs | $7,000 per practice | The 80% rate carries a 10-year upkeep commitment; the 35% rate carries 5 years | Cost-share, funding-limited |
| Howard County CleanScapes (MD) | 75% of cost | Up to $5,000 | Rain gardens | The 2026-27 site-visit list is full. Applications due November 30, 2026 |
All programs are first come, first served or funding-limited. Approval is always the program's decision. Rebate-Ready Garden is an independent publisher, not affiliated with or endorsed by any county, city, or program.
What is in every plan
Each plan is $19.50, delivered as an instant PDF download. Four parts:
- Plant-by-Numbers map. A to-scale layout that shows where each plant goes.
- Native plant list. Regional natives with counts, sizes, and spacing that meet the program's native-plant rules.
- Compliance packet. The program's requirements as a plain checklist: depths, mulch, setbacks, and the photos and receipts the program asks for.
- Submission sheet. What to send the program, and in what order. The homeowner still files the official application.
Plan-Match Guarantee
If a plan does not match its program's published rules as of the purchase date, tell us within 30 days and we fix it or refund, buyer's choice. Full terms are in the Terms of Sale.
Editions on sale now
- Prince George's County (Rain Check): rain gardens at 100, 150, and 200 sq ft; lawn-to-meadow at 250 and 400 sq ft. $19.50 each, or all five for $24.50.
- Montgomery County (RainScapes): rain gardens at 100, 150, and 200 sq ft; meadow-style conservation landscape at 250 and 400 sq ft. $19.50 each.
- Washington, DC (RiverSmart Homes): rain gardens at 50 and 75 sq ft. $19.50 each.
- Fairfax County (VCAP): rain gardens at 100, 150, and 200 sq ft; lawn-to-meadow at 250 and 400 sq ft. $19.50 each.
- Long Island (NEIWPCC Garden Rewards, up to $500): coming soon. Not on sale.
DIY guides, sold separately: The Rain Garden Blueprint, $39. Rebate Filing Package, $12. Sizing Calculator Worksheet, $9.
How a homeowner uses a plan
1Choose
Pick the edition built for your program.
2Get pre-approval
Get the program's pre-approval before digging.
3Install and file
Plant it, photograph it, and file with the included packet.
Three checks before buying:
- The spot sits at least 10 feet from the foundation.
- A test hole filled with water drains within 36 hours.
- The spot gets sun or part shade.
Why this helps partners
Landscapers and installers
The homeowner arrives with a program-matched layout, a plant list, and counts. The bid is quicker, and the job fits the program's rules. After pre-approval, the homeowner can plant it themselves or hand the packet to a landscaper for a bid.
Watershed groups, master gardeners, and HOAs
Our free database of 23 stormwater rebate programs tracks rates, caps, and official sources across MD, DC, VA, DE, PA, NJ, NY, and New England. It is one link to send residents who ask what their county pays for.
Questions
What does a plan cost?
$19.50 per plan, delivered as an instant PDF download. Prince George's County sells its five plans as a bundle for $24.50. DIY guides are priced separately: the Rain Garden Blueprint is $39, the Rebate Filing Package is $12, and the Sizing Calculator Worksheet is $9.
Which counties have plans on sale?
Prince George's County and Montgomery County in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Fairfax County in Virginia. Each edition is built for its local program: Rain Check, RainScapes, RiverSmart Homes, and VCAP.
Is Long Island available?
Not yet. The Long Island edition, built for the NEIWPCC Garden Rewards program (up to $500), is coming soon and is not on sale.
Is Rebate-Ready Garden affiliated with the county programs?
No. Rebate-Ready Garden is an independent publisher, not affiliated with or endorsed by any county, city, or program. The plans are prepared from each program's published rules.
Does buying a plan guarantee a rebate?
No. Approval is always the program's decision, and every program here is first come, first served or funding-limited. The Plan-Match Guarantee covers the plan itself: if a plan does not match its program's published rules as of the purchase date, tell us within 30 days and we fix it or refund, buyer's choice.
Who files the rebate application?
The homeowner. Each plan includes a submission sheet that lists what to send the program and in what order, and the homeowner still files the official application.
Hand out one link
Send landscapers and watershed groups this page. Send homeowners to the plans, or to the free database to find their program first.
See the plans Free rebate database