For additional questions, contact Christie Lovelace at (206) 801-2420 or clovelace@shorelinewa.gov.
Program Overview
Q: Is a permit required when applying for the rain garden or native vegetation landscaping rebate?
A: No, a clearing and grading permit is not required because of the small nature of the project.
Q: Can I perform the project by myself or do I need to hire a professional landscaper?
A: The project can be completed by the property owner or a professional landscaper.
Q: Does this rebate cover rain barrels, cisterns, or other types of rainwater management systems?
A: At this time, the program only offers rebates for installing a new rain garden or for converting hardscape, lawn, or an area of invasive weeds to native landscaping.
Q: Is the rebate considered taxable income?
A: Yes, these rebates are considered taxable income. The City is not able to provide any advising as to how to claim these rebates on your taxes. Please consult a financial advisor for this information.
Eligibility
Q: Can I submit for a rebate if I already have a rain garden or a native landscaping area started?
A: No. City staff review and must approve the project application before work can begin.
Q: I have a development/redevelopment project that requires me to integrate low impact development best management practices. Can I apply for this rebate?
A: No, this rebate program is meant to provide incentive to private and commercial properties that want to incorporate low impact development retrofits that are not required to do so.
Q: I want to install a rain garden and convert property to native landscaping. Can I apply for two rebates at the same time?
A: Yes, a combination rain garden and native landscaping project can qualify for a rebate; however, the minimum area does not change and the maximum rebate for the property owner is $2,000.
Project Planning
Q: Are there any restrictions on where I can place the rain garden or native landscaping?
A: Yes:
- Rain gardens and native landscaping cannot be constructed within a wetland, directly adjacent to steep slopes, or other critical areas. Critical area buffers that sufficiently infiltrate are acceptable locations. City staff can help you determine if parts of your property have critical areas on or adjacent to them.
- Because both rain gardens and native landscaping projects require deep earthwork, they can not take place under trees.
- Both rain gardens and native landscaping projects must be completed on private property and not in any portion of the right-of-way.
- Rain gardens have a number of setbacks and site specific requirements. City staff can help you determine where to place a rain garden during a free site consultation.
Q: Do I need to worry about utilities when excavating?
A: Yes, some utilities may be buried as shallow as 24” underground. Prior to beginning excavation, the property owner should call 811 to have utilities located so that safe excavation can be done.
Q: What counts as a native plant?
A: You can use the following tool to determine if a plant is native to this region: https://plants.usda.gov/home. It is best to use the scientific name in the search function. City staff will also provide feedback on whether a plant is native or not when reviewing applications.
Q: What does 50% native plants mean?
A: This means that 50% of the plants in the rebate area are native species. In the case of planting seedlings, each packet counts as "one" plant. During maintenance inspections, if non-native species are more than 50% of the yard, the property owner is required to restore the balance to at least 50% native plants.
Q: What is considered an invasive weed?
A: Any plant that appears on either Washington State or King County's noxious weed list, weeds of concerns, or monitor list are considered invasive weeds. We do not allow the planting of these species in the program, require that gardens keep this plants out of gardens for the 10 years of maintenance, and can offer a rebate to convert to native landscaping in areas covered in an invasive weed.
Project Wrap-up
Q: Can I apply for a rebate multiple times?
A: No, there is a limit of one rebate per property, even if your project did not hit the maximum rebate amount.
Q: Will my rain garden and/or native landscaping be inspected after the project is completed?
A: To ensure compliance with the agreement and covenant, inspections may occur every two years after installation.
Q: If I don’t like my rain garden or native landscaping, can I get rid of it?
A: If the rain garden or native landscaping is removed from the property before the covenant expires, the rebated amount must be returned to the City. Participants are required to sign a covenant as part of the agreement for receiving the rebate, which restricts the removal of the rain garden and/or conservation landscaping for ten (10) years.
Q: If I sell my home, can the new homeowner remove the rain garden or native landscaping?
A: If the participant chooses to modify or remove the rain garden or native landscaping before the expiration of the covenant, the City will require the current property owner to return the rebate amount. The covenant is legal to the property, not the property owner who originally signed it.
Q: When do I receive a rebate?
A: Typically within 3-6 weeks of signing the covenant.
