Thank you for your interest in working to protect the water quality of our local streams and lakes. The purpose of the Rain Garden Grant is to financially assist property owners within the City of Tallahassee with the placement of rain gardens on their property. Eligibility for this grant requires that the property be an owner-occupied residence located within the Tallahassee city limits.

A rain garden is a landscaped area designed to capture and hold excess rain water for a short period, allowing it to soak into the soil and recharge the groundwater. Rain gardens help Slow the Flow of water from a yard during and after a storm, reducing water pollution and allowing groundwater recharge. As part of the application process, you are asked to read the instruction manual Rain Gardens: A How-to Manual for Homeowners, Your Personal Contribution to Cleaner Water.

The City of Tallahassee will offer grants, in an amount not to exceed $175.00, as reimbursement for the purchase of plants, compost and mulch for a rain garden on your property. Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2010, however, only fifty (50) grants will be awarded, on a first come, first serve basis, for approved applications.

Reimbursement for plants, compost and mulch used in your rain garden will be provided after an on-site visit from a TAPP representative to verify that your rain garden has been completed. All plants must be planted and the original receipts from your plant, compost, and mulch purchases must be submitted in order to receive reimbursement. Once the rain garden is properly documented, you should receive reimbursement for the amount of the actual documented costs or $175.00, whichever is less, within 45 days. Receipts must be postmarked by July 1, 2010. No reimbursement will be provided for items purchased but not planted in the rain garden area.

The City requires that you agree to allow TAPP representatives to photograph and document your garden before, during, and after planting. Pictures from your garden may be used in publications, reports and educational programs for the City of Tallahassee. We ask that you maintain your garden for at least five (5) years, and during this period of time, that you allow additional photographs of the garden to be taken and used by the City. You will receive prior notification when anyone will be on your property to document your garden. Therefore, please be sure to update any changes to your phone number or e-mail address if such changes arise.

The application consists of three pages:

·        General Information

·        Rain Garden Design Sketch

·        Application Check List and Agreement

Please complete all three pages, attach a ‘before’ photograph, and mail to:

            City of Tallahassee

            Stormwater Management Division

            Attn: TAPP Rain Garden Grant

            300 South Adams Street, B-35

            Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1735

If you need assistance with your application, please call Sarah-Keith Valentine at

(850) 891-6860 for referral to volunteers who can help you to complete the application and sketches.

Your garden must be planted on your property by June 15, 2010 to ensure reimbursement.

For more information, please visit our web site at www.TAPPwater.org.

The TAPP (Think About Personal Pollution) Rain Garden Grant Program is funded by a Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program Implementation grant from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to the City of Tallahassee and administered through an agreement with the Nonpoint Source Management Section of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.