Available Rebates

2025 Rebates Available by Community

Rebates are reimbursement incentives to encourage backyard conservation practices. Rebate eligibility is based on your household's tax district which can sometimes be different from your mailing address or school district. Because of this, when you participate, we will manually verify your tax district with the Franklin County Auditor and verify that you provided your residential address. Your tax district and eligible rebate items will be listed directly on your voucher. Rebates are limited and subject to availability. We frequently run out before the fall. Limit one rebate per household per year. Rebates and amounts can change from year to year.

Community	Rain Barrel	Native Plants	Compost Bin	Rain Garden*	Invasive Trade In Program**
Columbus	$75 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate Not eligible for $50 rebate on a tumbler or on the ground bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	$100 Incentive
Bexley	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	Not Eligible
Canal Winchester	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	Not Eligible	Not Eligible
Dublin	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	Not Eligible
Gahanna	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	Not Eligible
Grandview	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	Not Eligible	$100 Incentive
Grove City	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	$100 Incentive
Hilliard	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	Not Eligible
New Albany	$100 Rain Barrel Rebate	$100 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $100 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	Up to $500 Reimbursement Only
Reynoldsburg	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	$100 Incentive
Upper Arlington	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	Up to $150 Reimbursement Only
Westerville	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	$100 Incentive (Callery/Bradford Pear Only)
Worthington	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	Not Eligible	Not Eligible
Franklin County Unincorporated Townships	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	$50 Native Perennial Plants, Shrubs & Trees Rebate	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate --or-- $50 rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on-the-ground compost bin	$250 Rain Garden Rebate	Not Eligible
Non- Participating Communities+	$50 Rain Barrel Rebate	Not Eligible	Purchase a SWACO compost bin for $30 after an instant $70 rebate Not eligible for a rebate on a tumbler, worm, or on the ground bin	Not Eligible	Not Eligible

*Rain garden rebates require more steps than other incentives and have very limited availability. They require an additional application to be considered. Please refer to your voucher for instructions on how to apply.
**Invasive Trade In Program: This is a NEW PROGRAM that is separate but an off-shoot of Community Backyards. If you are eligible, you can do both the Invasive Trade In Program AND Community Backyards within the same year! The Invasive Trade In Program is separate and does not require course participation or a voucher to participate. Learn about the program here.
+Non-participating Communities: Whitehall, Brice, Harrisburg, Lithopolis, Lockbourne, Marble Cliff, Minverva Park, Pickerington, Riverlea, Urbancrest, Valleyview.

Rain Barrel Rebates

Completely enclosed rain barrels with an installed, LEVEL straight across diverter hose are accepted. We will not reimburse any rain barrels with a direct downspout to the rain barrel, any rain barrels with an open top, or rain barrels with an improperly installed diverter. For these reasons, we highly recommend the EarthMark AKA EarthMinded RainStation model. It includes the rain barrel and diverter kit as well as a winterization plug and detailed instructions. It comes in three colors - terra cotta, black, and gray. It is commonly available at local stores like City Folk's Farm Shop, Scioto Gardens, hardware stores, big box stores, and online.

Free Rain Barrels for Low Income & Senior Residents

You might be eligible for a FREE rain barrel depending on your household income. These are separate programs from the regular Community Backyards rebates. There are two options to get a free rain barrel:

Community Backyards Free Rain Barrel Program - Residents who participate in the Columbus Public Utilities low income and/or senior discount programs can receive a FREE rain barrel with their Community Backyards rebate. Must first be enrolled in the low income and/or senior discount proram in order to qualify. Must participate in the Community Backyards online course or attend a workshop. Then, you must provide proof via your water bill indicating that you receive these discounts. Click here for more information.
IMPACT's Home Weatherization Assistance Program - Franklin County homeowners/renters/mobile home households whose income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and reside in certain zip codes can receive a free rain barrel with IMPACT Community Action's Home Weatherization Assistance Program installs and upgrades. IMPACT's program offers help with energy efficiency testing and remedies to improve your household's energy efficiency. For more information and instructions on how to apply, click here.

For more information about rain barrels, visit our rain barrel resources page

Native Plant & Tree Rebates

Native perennials, shrubs, grasses, and trees are strongly recommended and preferred as they provide the most benefit to our native pollinators and wildlife. Native cultivars AKA nativars are also accepted. Though not preferred, non-native plants can be accepted as long as they are not listed on our Invasive Species Do-Not-Plant List, including any and all cultivars of listed invasive plants (such as Butterfly Bush 'Miss Molly' or Miscanthus 'Gracillimus'). However, we strongly encourage you to choose native plants over non-native plants. In addition to invasive plants on our Do-Not-Plant List, we will NOT reimburse any annuals (including native annuals), vegetables, herbs, aquatics or seeds. All plants must be planted in the ground. No plants in pots will be accepted. Plants must be ALIVE in order to be reimbursed. We will not reimburse dead plants.

For native plant recommendations, visit our Native Plant Resources webpage.

Compost Bin Rebates

SWACO Compost Bin Rebate+ (instant, $70 rebate)

Purchase the SWACO Compost Bin for only $30 from Franklin Soil and Water (cost $100 - $70 instant rebate = $30 cost to you plus tax). The SWACO bin is an on-the-ground bin, 82 gallon capacity, and is made from 100% recycled content. It is a single-unit main body with a harvest door, lid and rodent-proof bottom. You can purchase it online from Franklin Soil and Water after you have participated AND received your voucher! Please note, you will have to pick it up from Franklin Soil and Water's office in Grandview. We will send a reminder email one week before the pick up date. The bin fits in the back seat of a regular sedan for easy transport. YOU CANNOT PURCHASE UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE RECEIVED YOUR VOUCHER! Quantity is limited and subject to availability. Final sale, no refunds.

$50 Compost Bin Rebate*

*CITY OF COLUMBUS RESIDENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING $50 COMPOST BIN REBATE (INCLUDING TUMBLERS). THE ONLY COMPOST BIN REBATE CITY OF COLUMBUS RESIDENTS CAN RECEIVE IS THE DISCOUNTED SWACO ON-THE-GROUND COMPOST BIN (SEE ABOVE).

If eligible, only compost bins that are an "enclosed bin", pre-fabricated unit meant for outdoor use or vermi-composters/worm bins will be reimbursed if you are eligible for the $50 compost bin rebate. This will typically include tumblers, on-ground units and vermi-composters. Reimbursements will NOT be applied to indoor composting units like counter top compost pails, DIY/homemade bins, or home-composting services such as The Compost Exchange. All compost bins must be totally enclosed and therefore rodent-proof in order to receive reimbursement!

For more information about composting, visit our composting resources webpage.

Rain Garden Rebates

Rain garden rebates of up to $250 are available for residents in certain participating communities in Franklin County and require extra steps than a regular Community Backyards rebate! If you get a rain garden rebate, you have used your one and only Community Backyards rebate for the year, and you cannot get anything else within the same year. They are extremely limited quantity, first come, first served, and vary by community. Eligibility for rain garden rebates requires that the property be located within a participating community, and the rain garden must be installed within 60 days of approval. For 2025, participating communities include:

Participating Communities
Bexley	Obetz
Columbus	Reynoldsburg
Gahanna	Upper Arlington
Grove City	Westerville
Hilliard	New Albany
Franklin County Townships

Interested and eligible? Here’s how it works:

Participate in Community Backyards via the online course or a local workshop.
Fill out a rain garden application to be considered. Click here to start your application!
FSWCD staff will contact you within 2 business days to set up a preliminary site visit to ensure your site is a good fit for a rain garden. * Please note, not every location is suitable for a rain garden. We reserve the right to deny applications if the site is determined to not be suitable for a rain garden.

After it has been determined your property is suitable for a rain garden, you have 60 days to install it.Once the project is 100% complete, FSWCD will conduct a final site visit at project site.Submit receipts after installation to receive a reimbursement check. Items eligible for a rain garden rebate include: plants, mulch, compost, drainage hardware, and higher labor for a rain garden. * This is reimbursement only. Reimbursement will NOT be dispersed until AFTER the install has been completed.

Invasive Trade In Program

If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Franklin Soil and Water to confirm there is still availability. Email us at communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org

Update on April 21, 2025: We are out of funding for Columbus and Grove City. However, we have asked for more funding and are awaiting decisions. If you're in one of these two communities and interested in participating, please email us to be added to the waitlist at CommunityBackyards@franklinswcd.org

ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

Residents of participating communities can receive a $100-$150 incentive for removing an invasive tree or shrub and replacing it with a new native tree or shrub. With this program, we want to reduce the number of invasive plants in our communities and encourage residents to plant new native trees and shrubs instead. Thank you to the City of New Albany who helped us pilot this program in 2024. In 2025, we are excited to announce that the program has expanded to other communities!

THE PROBLEM WITH INVASIVE PLANTS

Invasive plants are non-native, aggressive plants that take over natural areas and push out native species. Invasive species are detrimental to our woodlands and natural areas. Although an invasive plant might not take over your yard, invasive plants easily spread to nearby natural areas via humans, wind, and wildlife. Without native plants, many pollinators and wildlife simply cannot survive. Furthermore, since 2010, invasive species have cost North America $26 billion per year in harm. This economic harm has a significant impact on the agricultural industry.

OUR TOP 5 MOST WANTED INVASIVE PLANTS

These 5 plants are the most problematic invasive plants in Central Ohio that we want removed:

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
Non-native Bush & Vine Honeysuckles including Amur Honeysuckle, Morrow, Tatarian, Japanese (Lonicera maackii, L. morrowii, L. tatarica, L. japonica)
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)
Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

Click on each name above to learn more about each invasive plant and the best removal practices.

PARTICIPATING COMMUNITIES

The program has expanded for 2025. Residents in the following tax districts are eligible for the following incentives:

Columbus $100*
Grandview $100
Grove City $100*
New Albany $500
Reynoldsburg $100
Westerville $100 - Callery & Bradford Pears Only

These are first come, first served, very limited quantity. If you plan on participating, please reach out before doing it to confirm availability!
*We are out of funding in Columbus and Grove City as of April 21, 2025. We have requested additional funding and are awaiting decisions. You can join the waitlist by emailing CommunityBackyards@franklinswcd.org

HOW TO GET THE INCENTIVE

If eligible, you must follow these steps to get the incentive:

First, reach out to Franklin Soil and Water via email at communitybackyards@franklinswcd.org to ensure there is still availability first. These are limited quantity, first-come, first-served.
Remove at least one invasive tree or shrub. The invasive plant removed must be from this list above, or it could be another invasive tree/shrub with prior approval from Franklin Soil and Water. Take pictures of your removed invasive plants.
Buy and plant at least one new NATIVE tree or shrub on your property to receive the incentive. Cultivars of native plants are acceptable - such as 'Winter Red' Winterberry - Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red'. However, no invasive or non-natives will be accepted. Once planted in the ground, take pictures of the newly planted trees or shrubs.
Submit your pictures and receipts to Franklin Soil & Water who will then mail you an incentive check. Receipt must be itemized, printed, and from a legitimate retailer or store.

SUBMIT HERE!

FAQS & IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

These incentives are limited and subject to availability. Limit one per household per year.
You must live in a participating tax district to qualify per the Franklin County Auditor.
This is a SEPARATE program offering from Community Backyards rebates - meaning you can do BOTH programs within the same year.
This program is NOT applicable to removal or plantings in the public right-of-way or tree lawn. This is typically the area between your street and sidewalk. For trees in the public right-of-way, please contact your municipality for assistance and ask for street tree program information. This is because they own it - not you!
If we run out, we will update this web page and the submission form.

Questions? Contact Franklin Soil & Water at 614-486-9613 or CommunityBackyards@franklinswcd.org.