Stormwater Utility Credit Program

How it works

Arlington County’s Stormwater Utility Credit Program reduces a property’s Stormwater Utility bill when the owner completes approved stormwater actions that improve the environment and reduce runoff. The page says voluntary credit applications are only accepted during the annual application period, and approved credits are applied to the following year’s real property tax bill, split equally between the first and second bill.

There are also mandatory credits. These are automatically granted when stormwater facilities were required as part of construction or redevelopment and the property remains in compliance with inspection requirements. If you have mandatory stormwater facilities on your property, the County says you should have received a letter with information on how to qualify.

What the money covers

This is not a cash grant; it is a percentage credit against the Stormwater Utility fee. The page lists qualifying voluntary actions for different property types, including conservation landscaping, tree planting, rainwater collection and/or redirection, rain gardens, permeable driveways/patios/other surfaces, rainwater redirection underground for HOAs, stormwater education events, storm drain marking, adopt-a-street events, stream clean-up events, invasive plant removal events, and parking lot/private street sweeping.

Amounts and matching

The page gives credit percentages by action type and property category:

• 5% credits are available for conservation landscaping, tree planting, and rainwater collection/redirection for SFA and SFD properties.
• 10% credits are available for rain gardens and permeable driveways/patios/other surfaces for SFA and SFD properties.
• For HOA properties, 5% credits are available for conservation landscaping, tree planting, and underground rainwater redirection; 10% credits are available for rain gardens.
• For multifamily and non-residential properties, 5% credits are available for conservation landscaping, tree planting, stormwater education events, and storm drain marking; 10% credits are available for rain gardens, permeable parking lot/driveway, adopt-a-street events, stream clean-up events, invasive plant removal events, and parking lot/private street sweeping.
• Volunteer events may be repeated during the credit year for a maximum of 30% credit.
• The amount of voluntary credit that can be earned is capped at 35% per property.
• Voluntary credits can only be awarded once per voluntary action type, with no duplications, except volunteer events may be repeated within the stated maximum.

How to apply

Voluntary credit applications must be submitted online through Report-a-Problem by selecting “Request Service / Report a Problem” and entering your address to start the Stormwater Voluntary Credit Application. The County also provides a Customer Handbook with step-by-step instructions and an account-creation guide. Account creation is not required, but it is recommended to receive application status updates and make revisions if needed. If you do not have internet access, the County says to call 703-228-5577 for help completing the online submission.

Timing and deadlines

The page says the credit application period is closed and will reopen on November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027. It also says homeowners who received certain credits in 2025 must recertify during the 2026–2027 application period to continue receiving them for 2027–2028. The credits that require recertification are conservation landscaping, rain garden, rainwater collection, and permeable driveways. Courtesy notices will be sent in late summer 2026 to eligible recipients.