The City of Des Moines has several programs that are a big benefit to homeowners and definitely worth taking advantage of. Many are aimed at helping homeowners and property owners aid the City in helping to maintain and improve city infrastructure. The programs provide rebates or subsidies for completed, approved projects that meet the program criteria. One of these amazing projects is the rebate program for stormwater best management practices. That is a total mouthful, but in short it is a program that will provide a rebate to property owners who install stormwater best management practices that help to enhance the water quality of the stormwater runoff and/or decrease the amount of stormwater runoff that enters the stormwater drainage system. For example, installing a rain garden or rain barrels on your property.
Here is a summary of the program and how to learn more.
Rebate Program: Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Program
There are 7 types of qualifying projects that are eligible for the rebate, if they meet the eligibility criteria set out by the city.
Bio-retention cells (bowl-like gardens that capture and temporarily delay runoff.They also filter pollutants as water percolates downward.
Rain gardens (gardens of native plants designed in a manor to hold and soak in rain water runoff that flow from roofs, driveways, patios or lawns.
Permeable pavement
Rain barrels
Streambank stabilization
Soil quality restoration
Other practices approved by Director of Public Works
Eligible projects must meet the design criteria in the Iowa Storm Water Management Manual or other approved design guide.
Criteria for eligibility:
Stormwater BMPs for which the property owner seeks reimbursement from other sources of city funding are not eligible for rebate
Work cannot proceed until the application has been pre-approved by City
After work is completed, additional documentation will be required including receipts or itemized contractors invoice, proof of payment, and W-9 federal tax form
The account for the stormwater management fee charges on the property must be current as to the payments at the time of application
Application must be received by June 1, 2023
A property that has received the maximum rebate amount is not eligible for additional rebates under this program, regardless of a change in ownership or use, until at least 10 years have passed since issuance of the prior rebate
A Stormwater Best Management Practices Rebate Application must be completed.
If you meet the program requirements you could receive a rebate up to 50% of the cost of work…up to a maximum of $2000.
More info and the application can be found here.