Sarasota County has launched an innovative environmental initiative—the new RainCheck rebate program—aimed squarely at empowering homeowners to play a direct role in managing stormwater and safeguarding local water resources.

What is the RainCheck Program?

Officially launched on January 1, 2025, RainCheck is a Stormwater Environmental Utility Incentive Rebate Program administered through the county’s Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team (NEST). Its core mission is twofold: enhance stormwater infiltration into the ground and reduce polluted runoff that threatens rivers, creeks, and ultimately the Gulf.

Rebate Details

Homeowners within the eligible service area—including unincorporated Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota—can apply annually from October 1 through June 1 (aligned with the county’s fiscal year of October 1–September 30).

Rebate amounts vary by project type:

• Rain gardens: up to $500
• Treatment swales (bioswales): up to $500
• Modified downspouts: up to $50
• Downspout planter boxes: up to $1,000
• Impervious surface replacement (e.g. driveways, sidewalks): $5 per square foot, capped at $5,000
• Alternative approved BMP projects: up to $5,000

Eligible homeowners may receive rebates for up to two projects per property.

How It Works: From Application to Reimbursement

To access the program:

1. Submit an online application via the Sarasota County RainCheck portal.
2. Schedule a pre-application meeting with the NEST Program Coordinator.
3. Complete and submit a Rebate and Maintenance Commitment form, accompanied by an itemized cost estimate or quotes.
4. Projects must not begin before approval—pre-approved installations only are eligible.
5. Upon approval, homeowners receive a Project Approval Notice, complete the work, and submit documentation (receipts, invoices, photos) by September 1 to request reimbursement.

Real-World Impact: Stories from the Field

One local homeowner, Selma Goker Wilson, transformed her frequently flooded driveway and front yard by installing a rain garden—an eco-conscious project that cost $527 but earned her a $500 rebate. “Working on it was very therapeutic… we come out every time it rains, like ‘ooh, how’s it doing?’” she shared.

Her husband, architecture historian Christopher Wilson, highlighted the broader benefit: “The rain garden prevents stormwater from leaving our property and going out into the street—for the county to treat… instead it goes straight down into the ground,” naturally filtering out pollutants.

Even Jennifer Rudolph, who leads the RainCheck program, found personal inspiration in it—installing a bioswale in her backyard to combat erosion near a drainage pond. “It was like all meant to be,” she said. Rudolph’s $500 rebate helped her replace grass—which was ineffective at holding soil—with native plants that stabilize the ground and thrive in droughts.

Why RainCheck Matters

• Environmental Restoration: As development replaces natural wetlands with impervious surfaces, RainCheck brings back infiltration capacity and helps natural water filtration.
• Cost Savings for Residents: Rebates offset project costs, and replacing impervious surfaces may even lower annual stormwater assessments.
• Community Stewardship: Programs like RainCheck enable residents to see tangible results—making conservation personal and localized.

Looking Ahead

RainCheck reflects Sarasota County’s strategy of combining education, incentives, and community engagement to build resilient, environmentally responsible neighborhoods. As more residents adopt these small-scale Best Management Practices, the cumulative impact on water quality, flood resilience, and ecosystem health will only grow.

For homeowners ready to take the first step—or their second—RainCheck offers a rebate-backed way to make every raindrop count.

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