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Outdoor Rebates

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Sprinkler System, Drought Tolerant Plant, and Turf Removal Rebate Program

All rebate funding has been renewed through June 30, 2027! Customers may apply for additional outdoor rebates each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

Do you use City water to irrigate your home or business landscape? If so, you may qualify for our outdoor rebates and can get cash back for installing high efficiency sprinkler products, drought tolerant plants, and even removing turfgrass! Upgrading your sprinkler system and replacing turfgrass with drought tolerant plants is one of the most effective ways to save water at your property.

If you're interested but don't know what your sprinkler system needs, setting up a FREE sprinkler system assessment for your home or business is a great place to start. Call us at 406-582-3220 to schedule an assessment and receive a customized watering schedule along with a detailed report of recommended irrigation water efficiency repairs and upgrades.

Rebate Amounts

Outdoor Rebate	RetroFit	New Construction*
WaterSense® Weather Based 'Smart' Irrigation Controller	up to $250	up to $150
Multi-Stream Multi-Trajectory (MSMT) & H2O Chip Nozzles	up to $6/nozzle	up to $4/nozzle
Rain Sensor	up to $50	up to $30
Drip Irrigation Equipment	up to $250
Drought Tolerant Plants	up to $250
Turf Removal** (pre-application required before starting project)	$100-$2,000	N/A

*New construction rebates are not available for homes and businesses built after June 15, 2024

**Check with your HOA covenants for landscape restrictions or requirements before starting your project

Rebate Forms

Downloadable PDF forms:

Sprinkler System Rebate Application (controller, nozzles, rain sensor, and drip)

Turf Removal Pre-Application

Landscape Rebate Application (drought tolerant plants and turf removal)

Online form:

Sprinkler System & Drought Tolerant Plant Rebate Application

*Paper applications can be submitted to our blue rebate dropbox anytime during normal business hours. The dropbox is located just inside the front door at our office on 7 E Beall St, Suite 100.

Looking for guidance on the Turf Removal Process?

Our Turf Removal Manual walks you through the necessary information needed in your pre-application to ensure your project is approved!

Are you in need of a professional to help you do the work?

Search for QWEL (Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper) certified professionals on the QWEL Pros for Hire webpage.
Consult our Turf Removal Professional Services List for information on companies offering turf removal services in the Bozeman area.

Rebate Qualifying Details

Important Notes if Removing Turf From Your Landscape:

Prior to submitting a turf removal rebate application, interested Applicants must first submit a completed Turf Removal Pre-application to waterconservation@bozemanmt.gov. Pre-approval by City staff is required in order to maintain eligibility for this rebate. To prevent damaging any underground facilities beneath your landscape, we suggest all Applicants submit a Montana 811 locate request at least three days prior to commencing an excavation project.

Following the City approval of a Pre-application, Applicants can proceed with the planned turf removal project. Once all turf grass has been removed from the project area and replaced with the approved landscaping materials (drought tolerant plants, pervious hard surfaces, garden beds, etc.), Applicants are free to submit a Turf Removal Rebate Application.

Read the Turf Removal Guide for instructions on the entire process.

Important Notes if Retrofitting with a 'Smart' Controller/MSMT (or 'rotary') and H2O Chip Nozzles:

Controllers must be WaterSense® labeled. Some controllers require additional components, such as a rain sensor, solar sensor, and/or Wi-Fi module in order to be considered WaterSense® labeled. In order to receive a rebate for these controllers, all required components must be installed. Your rebated weather-based irrigation controller must be programmed with the proper local site setting in order to see outdoor water savings (most default setting will overwater your landscape)

Review the Outdoor Rebate Qualifying Product Document to view a list of qualifying irrigation system components.

Important Notes and Links if Installing Drought Tolerant Plants:

Qualifying plants can be found on the City's 2022 Drought Tolerant Plant Shopping List. Only plants included on this list qualify for a rebate. Applicants are limited to one drought tolerant plant rebate per fiscal year (July 1st- June 30th.)

Proof of qualifying plant species is required. Proof may take the form of an invoice/receipt with plant species specified or plant tags including the name of the plants purchased and installed. If purchase receipt does not specify plant species, Applicant may submit a completed Drought Tolerant Plant Shopping List to serve as proof of qualifying species.

For more detailed information on qualifying plants and water smart landscaping check out the Water Smart Plant Guide.

Free Wood Mulch Available from April - September

In partnership with Gallatin County, the City of Bozeman is providing FREE WOOD MULCH to residents! The City's Forestry Division maintains a pile of free mulch at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds (entrance off Oak St. near recycle bins). Free wood mulch will be available from April-September while supplies last.

Free Mulch

Check out the latest edition of our Water Smart Plant Guide

Click the cover for landscaping inspiration, water-efficient gardening tips, and so much more!

FAQs

How is "New Construction" defined for a sprinkler system?

A project in which an irrigation system does not currently exist.
How is "New Construction" defined for drip irrigation and drought tolerant plants?

A new home build without existing landscaping (e.g. trees, shrubs, turf, and perennials).
Am I Eligible For a Rebate?
1. Applicants must own the property to be eligible.
2. Once you have installed a new system, or converted all pre-existing sprinkler products, you can no longer apply for a rebate on qualifying products (i.e. high-efficiency products may not be rebated to replace previously retrofitted and rebated high-efficiency products).
3. Applicants are limited to one turf removal and one drought tolerant plant rebate, per residence, per fiscal year.
Is My Sprinkler System Eligible?
1. The system to be retrofitted must be in good working order (free from leaks and malfunctions). Once the rebated retrofits to the sprinkler system are installed, the system must not produce run-off, over-spray or misting.
2. Sprinkler systems must have a properly installed, functioning back-flow prevention device in order to qualify for rebate.
Are There Retrofit Requirements?
1. If applying for a rebate for H2O Chip and MSMT nozzles, the entire zone must have H2O Chip and/or MSMT nozzles with matched precipitation rates (the amount of water that a nozzle sprays onto the landscape in a given amount of time - generally expressed as inches/hour).
2. If installing/converting a zone to drip irrigation, the zone must have a drip valve with filtration and pressure regulation that is connected to a timer/central controller.
3. When using a weather based irrigation controller with drip irrigation, the output rate for that zone must be set to DRIP.
  Drought tolerant plants must be installed in place of landscaping that requires more water, such as high water use shrubs and turfgrass.
Which Products Are Eligible?
1. All sprinkler system products must be purchased new in order to qualify for a rebate.
2. For controllers: Weather-based ('smart') irrigation controllers must be WaterSense® labeled. Click on the link to browse qualifying products.
3. All H2O Chip and MSMT nozzles.
4. For drip equipment: 1/2" (diameter) or greater drip tubing, 1/2" (diameter) or greater in-line (emitter) drip tubing, and emitters, valves, filters and pressure regulators.
5. NOTE: Micro-sprays (misters), micro-jets, drip conversion kits (without pressure regulation and filtration), bubblers, fittings and drip tubing smaller than 1/2" in diameter do NOT qualify for a drip irrigation rebate.
6. Qualifying drought tolerant plants can be found on the 2020 Drought Tolerant and Water Smart Planting List (see link above). A flat $200 rebate will be issued for the purchase(s) of qualifying plants. Applicants must spend at least $200 on qualifying plants to receive a rebate. This may be done with one or several receipts (within the same year).
7. Proof may take the form of an invoice with plant species specified or plant tags which include the name of the plants purchased and installed. If the receipt does not specify plant species purchased, applicants may submit a completed Tolerant Plant Rebate Shopping List to serve as proof of qualifying species. Photos of the plants installed are also required.

More FAQs

City Of Bozeman

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