Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I get a rebate?

Franklin County, Ohio residents can get one rebate per household per year. To qualify, you must participate in the course either online or in-person. After participating, you will receive a voucher that will state what you are eligible for and instructions on how to redeem your rebate.

How does it work?

Franklin County, Ohio residents can learn about "backyard conservation" and get incentive to implement a backyard conservation practice. Here is how the program works.

1. Participate - You have to participate in the education portion first. You can take an online course or attend a local, in-person class. You have have to do one - you do not have to do both. After you participate, you will receive a voucher.  
2. Pick a Rebate - Decide what rebate you want to get this year. You can only get one rebate per year, so choose wisely! However, you can participate every single year. 
3. Redeem Your Rebate - Redeem your rebate one of two ways. PICK ONLY ONE):
   1. Immediate Discount Rebate at a Participating Vendor - Take your voucher to one of our local participating vendors to receive an immediate discount on your purchase like a coupon. Then, you're done! The vendor will submit your rebate information to us for you, so there is no further obligation on your part. Please note, immediate discount rebates are NOT available for rain garden rebates. 
   2. Submit for Reimbursement at Franklin Soil & Water - Purchase at a legitimate store and submit a rebate application to Franklin Soil and Water to receive a reimbursement check via mail. Before you purchase, make sure the item meets the rebate requirements! We reserve the right to deny if you do not follow rebate requirements.

 

Why are rebates different across the county? 

Each individual community vountarily provides funding for rebates for their residents. The municipality has the final say on whether they participate, what rebates they want to provide, and how many rebates are available each year. Because of this, rebates can vary from year to year and community to community. Your rebate eligibility is based on your home's tax district which can be different from your mailing address or school district. 
 

What rebates can I get?

Where you live determines what you are eligible for. Local municipalities provides funding for rebates for their residents, and the municipality has final say in how much rebate funding is available and what rebates they want or can offer with their available funding. Funding is limited and subject to availability. Refer to the Rebates page to see what rebates are available in each community. It will be listed directly on your voucher. You can only get ONE REBATE PER HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR. But you are welcome to participate once every year in our annual program. 

Can I submit a rebate that was purchased last year or before I participated this year? 

We cannot reimburse any items that were purchased in a previous calendar year. Your rebate item has to be purchased in the current calendar year. However, it is OK if it was purchased before you participated in the program as long as it was purchased in the current calendar year.

Where can I purchase rebate items? 

You can get your rebate one of two ways. PICK ONE:

1. Immediate Discount Rebate at a Participating Vendor - Take your voucher to one of our local participating vendors to receive an immediate discount on your purchase like a coupon. Then, you're done! The vendor will submit your rebate information to us for you, so there is no further obligation on your part. Please note, immediate discount rebates are NOT available for rain garden rebates. 
2. Submit for Reimbursement at Franklin Soil & Water - Purchase at a legitimate store and submit a rebate application to Franklin Soil and Water to receive a reimbursement check via mail. Before you purchase, make sure the item meets the rebate requirements! We reserve the right to deny if you do not follow rebate requirements. 

How do I know if a plant is native or eligible for reimbursement? 

Short Answer: Plant purchases will be approved as long as it is a perennial plant that is planted directly in the ground --and-- is NOT an annual, vegetable, herb, aquatic, or seed purchase, and most importantly, it is NOT listed on our Invasive, Do-Not-Plant List. 

Long Answer: It can be hard to determine if plants are native especially cultivars and trademarked plants. We strongly prefer and encourage native plants for their deep roots and ecological benefits, but we know it can be hard to find native plants in traditional garden centers. Therefore, we created a short, not comprehensive list of native plants we have found in traditional garden centers in Central Ohio called our Native, YES List. We encourage you to review this list and use our Native Plant Resources to find natives that will work for your yard. If you have trouble finding natives, ask the nursery staff. Please note, we will not reimburse any plants planted in pots or containers. 

Can I get reimbursed for a potted plant? 

NO. We will not reimburse any plants planted in a pot or a container. This is because containers restrict root growth, and the plants can't capture as much stormwater runoff when root growth is restricted. The purpose of this program is to capture and reduce stormwater runoff. Therefore, we will not reimburse potted plants.

Is a handwritten receipt okay? 

NO. We cannot accept any handwritten receipts. As a government agency, we must follow all State of Ohio Auditor rules to protect the integrity of this program. Handwritten receipts are not acceptable to the State Auditor for fraud prevention. Therefore, we cannot accept handwritten receipts. Any rebate applications with handwritten receipts can and will be denied.