Reduce impervious surfaces and the impact of stormwater runoff.

The Rain Ready Rebate, funded by the City of Hamilton, provides funding to residents who install approved Low Impact Development (LID) projects such as rain gardens and permeable surfaces. Applicants can apply for two funding tiers: up to $1,500, and up to $5,000. Visit our FAQ section of this page to see what is eligible within the two tiers. 

A limited number of projects will be funded in 2025.

Projects are selected if they meet program requirements and will be assessed on the expected impact to stormwater management.

The 2025 Application Windows:

February 1, 2025-April 1, 2025: Spring Application Window

May 1, 2025-June 1, 2025: Summer Application Window

Low Impact Development - what is it and its benefits

Low Impact Development or LID is an approach to land development that mimics the natural movement of water in order to manage stormwater close to where the rain falls. LID uses small, simple design techniques and landscape features that filter, infiltrate, store, evaporate, and detain rainwater and runoff at the lot level.

Property owners can make changes in their own yards to help reduce flooding and water pollution, and increase biodiversity!

 

 

Together we can be storm ready and climate resilient!

 

Who can apply?

How to apply for a rebate

What is eligible?

Who can apply?

  • The proposed project is within the city of Hamilton.
  • You can complete the project in 2025 with forms submitted by September 30.
  • You are the property owner of the residence, or you have written permission from the owner allowing you to carry out the project.
  • You attended at least one of Green Venture's stormwater rebate program educational sessions.

How to apply for a rebate

  1. Attend one of Green Venture's Educational offerings: Participants must attend either an Ask the Expert Open House, our Rain Ready Hamilton Webinar Series, or utilize our coaching process in order to qualify. It is strongly encouraged that applicants utilize as many of these resources as possible. Dates and sign-ups for these events will be available soon.
  2. Apply For the Rebate Program: After a design workshop, interested residents will be sent an application form.
  3. Book Your One-on-One Consultations: Eligible participants will receive a follow-up from Green Venture staff to either book an in-person consultation with our Rain Coach or a virtual appointment to discuss their project more in depth.
  4. Complete Your Project Milestones: Our team will let you know when check-in dates are approaching, remind you of expense tracking and to take progress photos along the way.
  5. Celebrate Your Project: Green Venture staff will visit your site to verify your project, collect receipts and provide you with a complimentary lawn sign.

What is eligible?

Eligible materials

  • Native plants
  • Natural mulch
  • Stone, sand, rocks
  • Garden edging
  • Soil and compost
  • Grid systems
  • Permeable surfaces for driveways, sidewalks, paths and patios
  • Structural plant supports
  • Green roof materials

 

Other eligible fees

  • Landscaping fees*
  • Garden design
  • Soil testing
  • Other professional fees (engineer, architect, landscape architect)
  • permit/locates
  • Excavation fees
  • Stump removals up to $500
  • Material disposals up to $100
  • Downspout relocation, addition, and disconnection up to $500

Upcoming Events

Applicants who attend Rain Rebate events will score well on our application prioritization rubric. This is because you will have a deeper understanding of the design process and Low Impact Development projects which will increase the success of your project. 

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

No events today

  1. Rain Ready Hamilton Industry Night

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

  1. Spring Rain Rebate Application Opens
  2. Ask the Experts at Seedy

  1. Rain Ready Hamilton Webinar Series: Introduction and Site Analysis

  1. Hamilton Farmer's Market Pop-up, take 2!

  1. Rain Ready Hamilton Webinar Series: Design and Integrating Plants

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

  1. Rain Ready Hamilton Webinar Series: Installation, Monitoring, maintenance

  1. Ask the Experts at Valley Park Library

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

No events today

  1. Rain Ready Hamilton Industry Night

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

  1. Spring Rain Rebate Application Opens
  2. Ask the Experts at Seedy

  1. Rain Ready Hamilton Webinar Series: Introduction and Site Analysis

  1. Hamilton Farmer's Market Pop-up, take 2!

  1. Rain Ready Hamilton Webinar Series: Design and Integrating Plants

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

  1. Rain Ready Hamilton Webinar Series: Installation, Monitoring, maintenance

  1. Ask the Experts at Valley Park Library

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I build?

  • Rain gardens
  • Rainwater collection and storage systems
  • Bioswales and dry swales
  • Soakaway pits
  • Infiltration trenches
  • Enhanced Grass Swales
  • Perforated Pipe Systems
  • Permeable paving (driveways, sidewalks, paths and/or patios)
  • Green roofs
  • and other Low Impact Development designs 

Can I build my project myself?

If you choose to construct your own project, the project is on your own time, like any other DIY home improvement project. You cannot expense your own labour. 

If you or a family member have a registered business that does landscaping, hardscaping, or building and has the appropriate skill set to build an LID feature, the business can charge for their services. All work done by contractors must include detailed receipts. The quote must be pre-approved by Green Venture if you or a family member are building the LID project. 

What is the coaching process?

The Rebate program offers one-on-one in-person and virtual coaching sessions. Our LID landscape experts will work with you once your application is submitted to make sure your application is complete and your designs are ready for implementation.

The coaching process is not required, but we will ask for applicants to the rebate to do at least 1 of 3 educational options that we believe are essential to completing this type of application and projects. Applicants who attend more of the educational options above the requirement will also score well on our application prioritization rubric.

What if I’m renting?

As a renter, you can still apply. You need a signed letter from the homeowner stating that they understand the program, your intended project and gives permission to complete the project. Whoever purchases the materials and hires the contractors will receive the rebate. Only one rebate per property. If landlords would like to apply for their properties, their tenants must be the applicants and project leads.

What is a rain garden?

A rain garden is a garden designed to capture water and allow it to infiltrate into the ground. Some rain gardens are constructed to infiltrate water runoff from roof downspouts—these enable you to disconnect your roof downspout from the city storm water system and utilize that water in your own yard. Others help to deal with pooling in yards by redirecting the water into an area of good infiltration. Rain gardens are not meant to contain standing water—they should drain within 24-48 hours of a large rainfall.

Learn more

What is Stormwater Runoff?

Stormwater runoff is the water from rainfalls or snow melting that either gets absorbed by plants and soil or flows over hard surfaces and into sewers, lakes, and streams. Harmful pollutants such as chemicals, pet waste, litter and fertilizer make their way to our waterways through urban runoff which can make fish and other aquatic species sick or even kill them. It can also cause a bloom or drought of certain types of aquatic organisms which causes an imbalance in the ecosystem. The water that runs over hard surfaces is also much warmer. This temperature increase can be harmful to aquatic life. Larger storms due to climate change also cause higher volumes of water to run through our systems. This can cause erosion which breaks down the stabilization of channels, leading to changes in waterway functionality.

Will this reduce my stormwater fee?

No, the Rebate does not reduce the stormwater fee you will pay. 

After the new stormwater fee comes into effect, part of water utility fees representing wastewater will be reduced, minimizing the overall increase in fees for property owners. Therefore, property owners will see only a few percentage point increase on their bill.

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Email:
Phone: 905-540-8787
Address:
22 Veevers Drive
Hamilton, Ontario
L8K 5P5