Contact Info
Water Resources Commissioner
248-858-1066
One Public Works Drive
Building 95W
Waterford, MI 48328-1907
Emergency After Hours: 248-624-6366
8:00am - 4:30pm
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
The majority of the RainSmart Rebates program area is residential land use. We believe that assisting residents with the implementation of GSI features is a cost-effective way to help an urban area manage stormwater in a changing climate. Homeowners who manage stormwater on their property help prevent or delay that runoff from entering their local drainage systems.
RainSmart Rebates offers homeowners up to $2,000 in rebates for installing rain gardens, rain barrels and trees. These projects help capture and slow rainwater or snowmelt. Not only do they help reduce the amount of stormwater entering the drainage systems, but they also improve water quality, increase tree canopy, support native plants and local pollinators, and aid our community in climate resilience.
Homeowners who live in southeast Oakland County. Click here to see if your home is within the program area. If you rent a property within the district, you can still participate if the property owner signs the Property Owner Agreement before the site assessment.
From application to installation and approvals, it can take a program participant up to six months to receive their rebate.
No, only new projects are eligible. A rain barrel purchased six months before applying can be included for a rebate, but a receipt with the date and price is required.
Please visit our Resources page.
Yes. Participants may install up to two rain barrels, two trees and a rain garden. All properties have a maximum rebate amount of $2,000.
The Property Owner Agreement specifies the general terms and conditions of the property owner’s participation in the RainSmart Rebates program. The Property Owner Agreement must be electronically signed during the rebate request process to receive a rebate.
Yes. RainSmart Rebates is a reimbursement program. You will pay for your project upfront. After you’ve been accepted into the program, complete a site assessment with program representatives, receive approval, and properly install your project, you can submit your receipts through the RainSmart Rebates Reimbursement Request Form. Your rebate amount will depend on the type of project completed.
If you are unable to pay for supplies or installation, you can apply for the RainSmart Rebates Equity Grant when you fill out your application.
Contact our staff at rainsmart@oakgov.com.
Equity Grant
The RainSmart Rebates Equity Grant is for homeowners who can maintain green stormwater infrastructure projects but can’t financially or physically install their project. The grant is open to any eligible participants who self-identify their need for assistance on their application. About 20% of RainSmart Rebate’s annual rebate budget is set aside for equity grant participants, and funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Equity grant benefits:
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$25 site assessment fee is waived.
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Clinton River Watershed Council or Friends of the Rouge will purchase and install the stormwater project.
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$2,000 rebate limit applies.
To apply for the grant, check the equity grant box on your application form. If funding is available, you will be notified and asked to schedule a site assessment. If there is no more funding for the calendar year, you’ll be placed on our waitlist.
Applying
The application is only available online. Contact rainsmart@oakgov.com for assistance submitting an online application.
Fill out an application. We will review your eligibility and if you meet our requirements and funding is available, you will be notified of your acceptance into the program.
You will receive an email letting you know your application has been accepted in addition to instructions for scheduling a site assessment.
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. We will contact you if additional space in the program becomes available.
Site Assessment
The non-refundable $25 confirms your place and commitment to the program.
Plan to reserve one hour for your site assessment. During the visit, we will determine what projects will benefit your property and answer any questions you have. After the assessment, you will receive an emailed report explaining which projects you’re eligible for.
No, you don’t have to follow the recommendations, but if you choose to move forward, your project must meet the program requirements.
Project Planning and Implementation: General
We recommend you install projects between April and November, depending on the weather and the likelihood of frost and rain. For more guidance, please visit the Resources page.
Any project or portion of a project installed in the right-of-way must first be discussed with your local municipality.
You must install your stormwater project before Oct. 31 of the calendar year you applied. If you are unable to install your stormwater project during your application year, you will need to reapply the following year.
Yes, you may hire a designer or contractor for your stormwater project. Hiring a professional does not increase the rebate value. Professional costs could exceed rebate limits, and you will need to cover any additional expenses.
You may begin installation after you receive an approval email following the site assessment. Projects installed before receiving approval will not qualify for reimbursement.
Project Planning and Implementation: Rain Gardens
Your rain garden plan must include a design and planting list that meets the program’s standards. You are required to submit your rain garden plan to rainsmart@oakgov.com for approval prior to installation.
Helpful Resources:
75% of your plants must be Michigan native species. A small amount of non-native plants are allowed, provided they are not invasive.
Examples of invasive species not allowed include yellow iris, purple loosestrife, garlic mustard, autumn olive, dames rocket, phragmites, Japanese pachysandra, miscanthus (silver grass), periwinkle, heavenly bamboo, Japanese barberry, and burning bush.
This test measures how quickly water is absorbed by your soil and determines if a rain garden will work well in your chosen location. Use the Soil Infiltration Test Worksheet to record your results.
You can still install a rain garden if your soil doesn’t drain properly, but you will need to improve the soil with sand or organic compost. These changes must be included in your rain garden design plan.
Your rain garden size is calculated by the amount of impervious surface draining to it and the multiplier that is derived from your soil’s drainage rate. You may increase the size of your garden, but you will need approval from the RainSmart Team first. The program will only compensate an additional 20% over the required area.
This must be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you want to build a rain garden to mitigate water coming from your neighbor’s property, please contact rainsmart@oakgov.com.
Depending on how much soil you remove, you may be able to repurpose it on your property or use it as part of a berm around the rain garden. If you need to remove a large amount of clay soil, renting a dumpster or having someone haul it away is an eligible expense for your reimbursement.
This should be discussed during your site assessment. In some cases, a rain garden can help alleviate standing water if additional soil amendments are also made.
Rebates
To apply for your rebate:
- Fill out the RainSmart Rebates Reimbursement Request Form.
- Submit photos of your completed project.
- Submit photos of your receipts.
- Electronically sign the Property Owner Agreement.
Your rebate is based off your project and receipts. You will only be reimbursed for eligible items purchased and you will not be reimbursed for more than you spent.
Yes. All receipts related to the project must be submitted.
You will be reimbursed for materials and services needed to make your stormwater project work properly. If you’re unsure about an item, email rainsmart@oakgov.com for approval prior to purchasing.
Eligible expenses include:
- Tool rentals
- Delivery
- Installation labor from a licensed contractor
Rain Barrels:
- 50 gallon or greater rain barrel
- Rain barrel stand or base/foundation materials
- Diverter
- Overflow hoses
- Downspout elbows
- Non-toxic caulk
Rain Gardens:
- Plants
- Mulch
- Soil
- Compost
- Sand
- Professional design
- Rock
- Downspout extension
- Pop-up emitter
- Weed barrier
Trees:
- Eligible Tree List
- Cultivars of species on this list will be considered eligible
- Minimum height of 5 feet
- Mulch
- Stakes
- Watering bag
Ineligible Expenses:
- Tool purchases
- Gutters
- Invasive plants, shrubs, or trees
- Old tree removal
- Fences
- Watersafe Test Kit
- Facebook Marketplace purchases
No, homeowner time and labor are not reimbursed.
No, the program does not cover replacement costs for plants or trees that do not survive.
No, purchases made before acceptance into the program are not eligible for rebates.
It is best to submit all projects and reimbursement requests at the same time through one RainSmart Rebates Reimbursement Request Form.
All projects must be installed, and rebate requests submitted by Oct. 31.
Post-Rebate Responsibilities
Once your rebate is approved and paid, you are responsible for caring for your project long-term.
Most stormwater projects require minimal maintenance, but there are important things to keep in mind. Visit our Resources page for more information.
Examples of ineligible projects
- A project that has been installed prior to RainSmart Rebates approval.
- A project that does not meet our guidelines:
- Rain gardens must contain at least 75% native plants
- Rain barrels must hold at least 50 gallons
- Trees must be at least 5 feet tall and on the Eligible Tree List
- A project submitted by someone other than the homeowner.
- A project on commercial or public property.
This list is not meant to be all inclusive. There may be other factors that make a project ineligible. For questions regarding eligibility, please contact rainsmart@oakgov.com.
Contact Info
Water Resources Commissioner
248-858-1066
One Public Works Drive
Building 95W
Waterford, MI 48328-1907
Emergency After Hours: 248-624-6366
8:00am - 4:30pm