Green Stormwater Mini-Grant Online Application Hub

Click here to access our online application

What You Need to Apply

1. Make sure you meet the minimum standards. To qualify for a grant, your project has to meet our minimum standards (listed below). If you have questions about the size of your project, reach out to the PCD staff member who visited your property. Rain garden projects must first complete the soil infiltration test

2. Create your project design. Make a simplified site plan showing the general location of your project, its dimensions, and the dimensions of your property. Project scopes may be hand drawn and do not need to be to scale.

3. Estimate your budget. Either fill out our budget estimate worksheet or get a quote from a local contractor.

4. Take a few before photos. We want to see the transformation! Include 1 - 4 photos of where your project will go and upload them with your application.

5. Fill our our online applicationbefore grants are due on Friday, November 18th. Submit your budget estimate, project scope, before photos, and any other documents you want to include along with your application.


stormwater mini grant graphic

Questions about the process? 

Contact Robb Krehbiel

Green Stormwater Program Manager
robbk@piercecd.org
Phone: 253-325-3143


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. What Projects Qualify?
  2. Who's Eligible?
  3. How Does the Cost Share Work?
  4. How Will Projects Be Scored?
  5. What Happens After I Apply?

Mini-grants are available to support four different project types: Depave, rain gardens, rain tanks, and urban habitat. Applicants can submit a grant for just one project type or multiple. Combining project types can help increase the stormwater impact of your project. Keep in mind that the $4,000 maximum award is per property, not per project. Each project type also must meet our minimum standards to qualify for funding: 

Project TypeDescription Minimum Standard
DepaveRemoving unwanted and/or excessive pavement to replace it with natural landscaping. Projects to replace driveways and other surfaces with permeable pavement are not eligible. At least 300 square feet of pavement must be removed and replaced with natural landscaping (trees, rain garden, urban habitat, etc.)
Rain GardenReplacing turf grass or non-native landscaping with a rain garden that intentionally captures and filters stormwater runoff. 
At least half of a building's runoff is directed into the rain garden. Rain gardens that collect runoff from driveways and roads will be evaluated by staff.
Rain TankHarvesting rain water in a large (>200 gallon) cistern for later use and to slow/disperse rain water. At least half of a building's runoff is directed into the rain tank. 
Urban HabitatReplacing turf grass or non-native landscaping with primarily native plants that benefit pollinators, birds, and other urban wildlife. 
At least 500 square feet of impervious turf grass (or other non-native landscaping) is removed and replaced with natural landscaping (75% of the species must be native).

Mini-grants will not be awarded for a project if that project is already on a property. For example if the property already has a cistern on it, the property owner may not apply for a mini-grant to purchase an additional rain tank, but they may apply for a mini-grant to fund a rain garden. Refer to PCD’s Financial Assistance Program Policy for additional requirements and limitations.

Additional Information and Requirements:

  • Permitting. With the exception of Depave projects within Tacoma city limits, if permits are required for the project, the grantee is responsible for obtaining and/or purchasing them before beginning project work. A copy of the permit will be required before reimbursement. Permits for Depave projects in Tacoma will be obtained and paid for via an agreement between the City and PCD.
  • Agreements. Participants of this program will be required to sign (1) a Cooperator Agreement with PCD, (2) a Financial Assistance Contract (upon grant award) that demonstrates a commitment to maintain the project for its life, (3) a Reimbursement Form upon completion of the project (if applicable).
  • Grant Timeframe. Projects must be completed, and all receipts submitted to PCD within the timeframe designated in the “Notice of Award” acceptance letter. Any work completed prior to the “Notice of Award” will not be reimbursable. If a grant is awarded and no evidence of progress has been made within a 3 month period, PCD reserves the right to withdraw the grant.
  • Use of Grant Funds. Grant funds are for implementation only (not intended for private design costs). Machinery rental may be reimbursed if it is necessary for implementing the Green Stormwater project. Direct contractor costs for implementation must be included in total project cost for reimbursement.
  • Maintenance. Property owners are expected to maintain the project for at least the “lifespan” of the practice, which is typically a minimum of 10 years. If the property is sold in this time, the property owner must notify PCD of the change in ownership and if the new landowner will continue maintaining the project.