Capture rainwater to irrigate your yard naturally, reduce your water bill, and boost your curb appeal.

The Waterscape Rebate Program offers rebates to unincorporated residents who want to capture rainwater and direct it to Rain-Saving Containers for later use on their plants and/or to Rain-Saving Gardens to manage rainwater in their yard.

Scroll down to discover rain-saving options that fit your space.

Your Rain-Saving Options:

Please submit an interest form and a Program staff member will contact you and provide guidance. 

What are the requirements?

1. Project cannot start before a consultation with Waterscape Rebate Program staff has been completed and a Notice to Proceed has been issued.
2. Captured roof area must be at least 110 sq. ft.
3. Runoff must be conveyed directly to the container via downspout or piping; water cannot free fall or free flow over pavement.
4. Containers must be between 50 and 5,000 gallons.
5. The container’s height-to-width ratio must not exceed 2:1.
6. Containers must be made of metal, wood, or UV-resistant opaque plastic.
   • White or clear plastic containers may only be used if painted or covered to prevent light penetration and algal growth.
   • Recycled plastic or upcycled barrels may be eligible; consult with Waterscape Rebate Program staff for approval.
   • Reused trash bins are not eligible.
7. Open inlets and open outlets on the containers must have securely placed screens to prevent the entrance of vectors or debris.
8. Containers must be elevated a minimum of 6 inches above ground level and must not create a tipping safety hazard or structural concerns.
   • Containers over 200 gallons may rest on the ground. 
9. All containers must have an overflow mechanism which directs the water to another container or a non-eroding area that must:
   • be within the participant’s property
   • have less than 5% slope
   • be at least 5 feet from any structure
   • not be lined with impervious landscaping fabric
   • not be over a septic tank or leach field
10. Overflow outlet pipes or hoses must have a diameter of at least 5/8 inches.
11. Containers must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years.
12. Projects must meet site-specific requirements identified by Waterscape Rebate Program staff during the rebate process.
13. Because there are additional rain barrel and cistern rebates from SoCalWaterSmart.com, the Waterscape Rebate Program will help participants take advantage of both programs to earn the highest possible rebate for the project.
    • SoCalWaterSmart.com rebates will be deducted from the total rebate amount earned.

What are the requirements?

1. Project cannot start before a consultation with Waterscape Rebate Program staff has been completed and a Notice to Proceed has been issued.
2. Captured roof area must be at least 110 sq. ft.
3. Runoff must be conveyed directly to the Rain-Saving Garden via downspout, pipe, hose, or similar material. Water cannot free fall or free flow over pavement.
4. The Rain-Saving Garden must be at least 5 feet away from the walls of any structure (including retaining walls) and at least 50 feet away from septic tanks and leach fields.
   • Clearance is measured from the outer edge of the garden.
5. Captured water must infiltrate into the ground within 72 hours.
   • Test and verify your infiltration rate by using the Soil Drainage Test.
   • If landscape fabric is used, it must be permeable.
6. If the garden uses plants, they should be adapted to saturated soil and climate-appropriate.
   • Invasive plants are not allowed.
   • Native plants are preferred and offer significant additional benefits to homeowners.
7. The bottom of the rain-saving garden is ideally flat and level.
8. Mulch must be retained on property at all times.
   • Maintenance may be necessary after large rain events.
9. Runoff cannot flow directly to neighboring properties.
10. Overflow from the Rain-Saving Garden must be directed to a non-eroding area that must:
    • have less than 5% slope
    • be at least 5 feet from any structure
    • not be lined with impermeable landscaping fabric
    • not be over a septic tank or leach field
11. Projects must not create any erosion concerns.
    • If the garden is located in an area with greater than 5% slope, it must feature erosion resistance measures such as rock lining and terracing.  
12. Rain-Saving Gardens must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years.
13. Projects must meet site-specific requirements identified by Waterscape Rebate Program staff during the rebate process.

REBATE UPGRADES

Rebate upgrades earn you more on your rebate for bigger projects.

Volume Upgrades encourage participants to install projects that retain 50% more water than the minimum requirement. This requirement is based on scientific estimates of design storms. For example, a 400 sq. ft. roof will capture 200 gallons to meet 100% of a design storm; adding 50% more capacity, in this case 100 gallons, qualifies for a Volume Upgrade rebate. Bigger projects help manage heavier rains and provide more water for use in your yard. This upgrade is available for both Rain-Saving to Container and Rain-Saving to Garden projects.

How much is my rebate?

Upgrade payments are in addition to the $1/sq. ft. payment available for Container or Garden projects.

Volume Upgrade:  $0.25/sq. ft. of roof - up to $500.

Full-Capture Upgrade:  $0.25/sq. ft. of roof - up to $500.

What are the requirements?

1. Volume Upgrade: The Container or Garden must hold 150% of runoff volume (in gallons) when 0.75 inches of rain fall on the area of your roof that drains to the Container or Garden.
2. Full-Capture Upgrade: The Container(s) and Garden(s) installed must capture the runoff volume from 90% of more of your property’s total roof area. The upgrade is paid on every sq. ft. of roof captured for your project, not just the area beyond 90% of total roof area.
3. The Container or Garden must meet all the requirements for that type of project, and you must have an overflow outlet that takes care of runoff from bigger storms, which happen more than one might expect.

Submit an Interest Form to Get Started

If you’d like free one-on-one support to plan your project, check your eligibility, or apply for rebates, just fill out our Interest Form. A member of our team will reach out to walk you through everything.

If you would like to proceed with an application, proceed to the bottom of the page.

REMINDER: PROJECTS MUST NOT BE STARTED BEFORE AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED AND YOU HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE TO PROCEED.

Who's eligible?

Commercial and residential property owners in unincorporated San Diego County.

See if you’re in the Unincorporated Area of San Diego County by checking your address in the embedded map on the Program Eligibility page.

Application Process:

Feel free to contact us at any time if you need help picking the right rebate for your property.

1. Application Form:

• Fill out an application for each rebate you are interested in by clicking on the links below.
• Submit pre-project photos of each project area where gutters, containers, and/or rain gardens will be installed on your property.
  • Refer to Waterscape Rebate Program Project Photo Guidance.
• Submit a project plan that shows where you will place your new gutters, containers, and/or rain gardens and what sections of roof they capture from.
  • Refer to Rain Water Harvesting Calculation Guide.
  • Waterscape Rebate Program staff can assist you with your project plan if needed.

2. Site Consultation:

• After receiving your application form, a team member from the Waterscape Rebate Program will reach out to you to do an in-person or virtual consultation to help you decide which Rain-Saving Rebate will work best for your property.

3. Application Review & Notice To Proceed:

• Based on the consultation, staff will review your proposed project and help find the most practical solution for your property. Once the application package has been compiled, you will then be issued a Notice to Proceed (NTP). Do not start your project before receiving this NTP.

4. Project Installation:

• You can start putting your project in place. You can choose to do the work yourself or go through a contractor. Refer to Program Resources and reach out to Program staff with any questions. Document your project throughout the process with progress photos and save your receipts. 

5. Post Project Verification:

• After your project is done, the Waterscape Rebate Program will verify your project.
  • Here is what is needed for project verification:
    • At least 3 color photos of each project area where a gutter, container, and/or garden was installed and where overflow(s) is directed to the yard.
      • Refer to Waterscape Rebate Program Project Photo Guidance.
    • The final measurements and locations, including:
      • The size (sq. ft.) of the roof areas being collected from
      • The lengths (linear feet) and locations of new gutters and downspouts installed, including any horizontal piping at ground level that was installed as part of the gutter system
      • The size (gallons) and location of each container that was installed
      • The dimensions (area in sq. ft. and depth in feet), materials used, and location of installed rain or rock gardens
• An in-person verification may be necessary.

6.   Rebate Payment:

• After the completed project has been approved, you will receive your rebate payment within 4 weeks.

Waterscape Rebate Program Home Page | Watershed Protection Program Home Page