Rain garden rebate
Guelph homeowners can receive up to CAD 2,000 towards installing a rain garden that collects roof runoff.
Această oportunitate este disponibilă momentan în limba engleză.
A rain garden is a shallow planted area that absorbs rainwater into the ground and dries between rainfalls, helping reduce runoff into storm drains.
The City pays CAD 0.50 per litre of stormwater retained, up to CAD 2,000. Your payment cannot exceed your initial approved amount or actual eligible expenses. There is one rebate per household, paid by cheque.
Eligible costs include mulch, sand or absorbent soil and compost, rocks or gravel, native plants that tolerate both wet and dry conditions, and non-native plants serving a functional purpose in the garden. Edging, landscape fabric, downspout extensions, itemized contractor fees for construction, and other expenses approved in advance also qualify.
Eligibility
- You must own a home within Guelph’s geographic limits, with municipal water and wastewater service, and be responsible for its stormwater fees and charges.
- Get the City’s written approval before installing. Follow the drought-tolerant landscaping principles and rainwater-management practices endorsed by the City’s Healthy Landscapes Program and Reep Green Solutions. The installation must comply with applicable building codes, zoning bylaws and permit requirements.
- Direct rainwater from the available roof area through a downspout into the garden. Excess discharge must meet City stormwater requirements and have Engineering Services approval. In the largest storms, runoff must flow away from your house, other buildings, driveways and neighbouring properties.
- Allow requested reasonable access for City inspections and access to utility billing information to monitor water use and savings. You pay all operating, maintenance, alteration, repair and replacement costs.
- Maintain the garden for at least four years after receiving the rebate. You agree to cover the City and its agents against liability and claims arising from your participation, including injury and property damage. If you materially misrepresent your application or breach the terms, you must refund the rebate when the City requests it.
The City may reject expenses it considers ineligible and may modify, suspend or end the programme without prior written notice.
How to apply
- Statut
- Deschis continuu
- Condițiile sesiunii de finanțare
- The current offer is for rain gardens installed in 2026; limited rebates are processed first come, first served.[^c1][^c6]
- Install within 60 days of written approval and submit the verification claim within 30 days of the Reep verification visit.[^c4][^c7]
Book a free initial home visit using the Reep Green Solutions appointment form. An advisor assesses your yard and helps plan the garden’s location and size.
Submit the preapproval form to Reep Green Solutions before installation and wait for written confirmation from the City of Guelph. Rebate funds are reserved for 60 days from preapproval; purchase the materials and finish installation within 60 days of approval.
Arrange the required Reep verification visit after installation and give the advisor an itemized list of the claimed components. Within 30 days of that visit, submit the verification application with receipts or purchase invoices, an itemized list of materials and costs, before/during/after photographs and a soil sample. For online purchases, supply the final invoice printout and original packing or delivery slip.