Sarasota County announces Stormwater Environmental Utility Incentive Rebate Program
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
SARASOTA COUNTY — Community members may now apply for the Stormwater Environmental Incentive Rebate Program. The program began on Jan. 1, 2025.
The program encourages homeowners to implement best practices to improve water quality and stormwater. Enhanced water quality supports local plants, wildlife, recreational areas and other economic drivers.
Eligible practices include rain gardens, treatment swales, modified downspouts, downspout planters, and replacements to existing impervious surfaces with pervious surfaces for driveways and sidewalks.
This program, administered by the Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team (NEST), promotes neighborhood involvement in environmental projects that protect and restore local water resources. The NEST program operates at the neighborhood level to improve Sarasota County’s watershed resources.
Homeowners meeting eligibility requirements may receive rebates for the following:
Tool or Best Practice / Rebate Amounts
- Treatment swales (bioswales) / Up to $500
- Rain gardens / Up to $500
- Modified downspout / Up to $50
- Downspout planter(s) / Up to $1,000
- Proposed alternative best practice / Up to $5,000
- Impervious replacement (driveways, sidewalks, etc.) / $5 per square foot up to $5,000
“The incentive rebate program will help improve water quality and stormwater infiltration for homeowners throughout Sarasota County,” said Public Works Director Spencer Anderson. “This is a great opportunity to collaborate with our community, especially to prepare for storms and heavy rainfall.”
Homeowners can receive rebates for up to two projects per property. Additionally, a reduction in impervious areas may also reduce a property’s annual stormwater assessment. Applications will be accepted annually from Oct. 1 through June 1 to allow work to be completed and reimbursed within the county’s fiscal year (which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30).
Eligibility Criteria:
• Property must be within the Sarasota County Stormwater Environmental Utility Service area, including unincorporated Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota. A map of the service area is available on the county website.
• The applicant must be the property owner on record with the Sarasota County Property Appraiser.
• Projects cannot be located within the right of way, interfering with existing easements, or negatively affecting drainage to or from neighboring properties.
• Homeowner’s Association (HOA) approval is required if applicable.
• Projects must not be required by regulatory order, judgment, or other compliance action.
Application Process:
1. Submit an online application by visiting scgov.net/raincheck.
2. Schedule a pre-application meeting with the NEST program coordinator. If a site is considered suitable for the desired practice, the property owner must complete:
3. A Rebate and Maintenance Commitment form that includes:
a. An itemized budget or quote(s) with all costs associated with installation.
b. If the total project cost equals a maximum rebate of $5,000, the applicant must obtain three quotes for similar goods and services.
Items purchased, or work completed before an approved application and execution of a Rebate and Maintenance Commitment form will not be eligible for reimbursement.
If the application is approved, the NEST program coordinator will issue a preliminary Project Approval Notice detailing the approved rebate amount.
To Qualify for Rebate:
• Projects must be completed with rebate requests submitted by Sept. 1 of the qualifying year for each project. (Sarasota County will verify project completion through site visits and photographs.)
• Provide dated receipts, paid invoices, copies of canceled checks, or financial statements documenting amounts spent on the project.
• The request for rebate form can be downloaded here, under downloadable files.
For additional information, please call 311 or 941-861-5000 or visit scgov.net/raincheck.
