Des Moines Reimbursement and Incentives for Stormwater BMPs and Tree Plantings

Code of Ordinances Sec. 118-296 outlines Des Moines’ Stormwater Best Management Practices Program, which provides a rebate to property owners who install stormwater best management practices that help to enhance the water quality of the stormwater runoff and/or decrease the amount of stormwater runoff that enters the stormwater drainage system. Qualifying stormwater best management practices, or qualifying practices, which shall be considered eligible for subsidy include bio-retention cells, rain gardens, permeable paving systems, rain barrels, streambank stabilization, soil quality restoration, native landscaping or other similar practices approved by the director. Stormwater best management practices shall meet design criteria in the Iowa Storm Water Management Manual or other applicable design guidance approved by the director. Stormwater best management practices which are required by Chapter 42, Article XI of this Code or those for which the property owner seeks reimbursement from other sources of city funding, shall not be eligible for subsidy. This program reimburses the property owner for 50% of the cost up to $2000 for reasonable total out of pocket cost of materials and labor per property for a qualifying management practice or a combination of qualifying practices.