Rainwater Harvesting Rebate

The Rainwater Harvesting Rebate has new policy updates that reflect the goals listed in Tucson Water's One Water 2100 Plan. This long-range plan recognizes the interconnectedness of Tucson's surface water, groundwater, recycled water, and stormwater supplies and plans for a future where each of these resources are well managed. Utilizing rainwater helps off set potable water use while still maintaining thriving landscapes in the Tucson desert. Several Rainwater Harvesting Rebate program policies have been updated to ensure effective use of rainwater and stormwater investments. Customers applying for a rebate are required to read, understand, and apply new policies as listed on the website. Changes as of July 2026 include:

• Maximum catchment system rebate amount is now $1,900 (reduced from $2,000).
• Additional Treebate incentives are available when installing new, drought-tolerant qualifying trees (1 tree for $50, 2 for $99).
• Beneficial Use policy for all harvested water.
• Before pictures of the spaces where you will be installing a system are now required when submitting your plan.
• New site elements required on site plan.

Pricing Details

Rebate maximum is $1,999 (up to $1,900 for system storage and up to $99 for Treebate) per property. Only systems built to capture at least 1-inch of rainfall from collecting roof area will meet the storage requirement and receive $1.00 per gallon of storage capacity.

Optional Treebates available for up to 2 trees:

• $50 for first tree and $49 for the second tree, not to exceed $99.
• Only drought-tolerant trees on Tucson Active Management Area Drought-Tolerant Low Water Use Plant List, 5th Management Plan (TAMA Drought-Tolerant Low Water Use Plant List)
• Only new trees. Existing trees not eligible.
• Trees must be getting water from the harvesting system being rebated.

Direct Roof Runoff Systems

Direct systems are conveyed from roof gutter, downspout, or scupper directly into a tank, barrel, or basin, including overflow basins, or into a rainwater basin via swale or a basin directly under roof eaves. Can be an active, passive, or combination system.

• $1.00 per gallon - Meets required storage of 1-inch of rainfall
• $0.50 per gallon - Does not meet required storage

Indirect Runoff Flow Systems

Indirect systems are basins that only receive direct rainfall that are not connected to roof downspouts or scuppers, not connected by swales, and not near roof eaves. Passive systems only.

• $0.50 per gallon

Streetside Basins

Streetside basins are within public rights-of-way, adjacent to private property, and designed to capture stormwater. Includes area between roadway curb and private property. Basin maintenance responsibility of adjacent property owner and subject to Department of Transportation and Mobility landscape standards. Passive systems only.

• $1.00 per gallon - Basins with direct flow where there is evidence of stormwater diverted from street into basin, including curb cuts, curb cores, or driveway inlets.
• $0.50 per gallon - Basins with no visible stormwater diverted from street into basin, similar to Indirect Systems that only receive direct rainfall.
• Permits required. Applicable fees. Contact City of Tucson Transportation & Mobility Department at (520) 791-5100.

Beneficial Use Policy

 Site plan must clearly demonstrate that harvested water from rebated system has a beneficial use on the property.

Beneficial Uses

Harvested water used in the landscape is subject to plant requirements based on the total system storage capacity, including direct roof runoff and/or indirect runoff.

• System size and plant requirements:

• Less than 800 gallons = no vegetation requirement
• 800 - 1,499 gallons = 1 tree or 4 shrubs/other
• More than 1,500 gallons - 2 trees or 8 shrubs/other OR 1 tree and 4 shrubs/other

• The following beneficial uses are subject to the plant requirements above. This can be a combination of existing or new plants:

• Drought-tolerant trees - Trees listed on TAMA Drought-Tolerant Low Water Use Plant List
• High water use trees - Palms, citrus, fruit, nut, desert riparian, non-native trees, including exotics
• Shrubs/Other - Shrubs, groundcovers, vines, cacti, succulents, bunch grasses, and perennials.

• In addition to landscape plants, the following beneficial uses are acceptable if a tank, cistern, or barrel is installed and provides above ground storage:

• Garden - Edible and non-edible gardens
• Potted plants - Indoor house plants and outdoor potted plants (any plant not planted in the ground)
• Lawn - Any grass variety including warm and cool season grasses
• Pool - In-ground pool or above ground pool
• Water features - Fountains and/or ponds

All site plans submitted must be clearly labeled with the following elements:

1. Roof area(s) - Include square foot totals of areas of your roof you are planning to collect and re-direct runoff from.
2. Tank(s) - Show placement and capacity of your tank(s).
3. Basin(s) - Show placement of basins and measurements (number each basin). Show on-ground water flow direction towards basin(s). Indicate Direct or Indirect flow into each basin.
4. Gutter - Show placement of gutter and direction of water flow.
5. Beneficial Uses - Show all uses of water (location & type) being supplied by rainwater harvesting system.
6. Flow arrows - Show roof rainwater runoff flow direction.
7. Note where the front of the property is. 

Zoning requirements for cisterns are set by City of Tucson Planning and Development Services within the city limits and by Pima County Development Services outside of the city limits.

City of Tucson: See the City of Tucson Land Use Code Sections 6.6.2 Accessory Buildings & Structures  and 6.3.4 Dimensional Standards for Perimeter Yards. 

County: See the Pima County Ordinances, Title 18 - Zoning, Chapter 18.07.030, Land Use Regulations, Section R (Rainwater Harvesting System).

Additional information: City of Tucson Tank Zoning and Permit Requirements &

Pima County Permitting Requirement for Water Tanks and Policy

More questions? For City of Tucson, contact Planning and Development Services Department at 520-791-5550. For Pima County Development Services at 520-724-9000.

Use of an irrigation system that is pressurized with any kind of pump must have a Reduced Pressure Assembly (RPA) installed at the service connection to protect the public water system from potential contamination. Associated costs are not covered by the rebate. 

• Watch the Backflow Prevention Requirement  video to determine if you will need an RPA.
• Review the Backflow Prevention Q&A  

1. Take required workshop through Watershed Management Group. Workshop must be taken after July 2023. If workshop is taken prior to July 2026 policy updates, it is the customer's responsibility to read, understand, and follow new policy.             Sign-up for a Workshop
2. Submit site plan design for pre-approval. Customer must initiate the rebate process by submitting a site plan through the Rainwater Harvesting Rebate Form (FORM COMING SOON!). Customer will receive email notification of approval or denial of system design within 2-4 weeks.
3. Install system. If approved, customer must install system and schedule site visit one year from date of design approval.
4. Upload required documentation. Once system is installed, customer must upload a signed W-9 Form, receipt(s) and/or invoice(s) to the document upload form. If installation is different from pre-approved design, customer must provide a description of the updates and/or upload an updated site plan. Once the documents are approved, customer will be notified to proceed with scheduling a site visit. Applicants must submit a W-9 Form for rebates paid by check from the City of Tucson. Per IRS requirements, individuals and/or entities receiving funds of $2,000 or more from the City of Tucson in a single calendar year will be issued a 1099-MISC for miscellaneous income. Regardless of the total rebate amount issued by the City of Tucson in a calendar year, the customer is still subject to tax liability for the rebate and any other payments received. 
5. Schedule a site visit. Once document approval notification is received, customer can call 520-791-4331 or email conservation@tucsonaz.gov to schedule a site visit. System installation must be fully completed before scheduled for inspection. This includes all components of the system for which you are requesting a rebate such as tanks, gutters feeding the features, basins, newly installed plants, and any other system elements that make your system functional and help you meet the beneficial use policy. Failure to have completed project can result in partial or full denial of the rebate.
6. Final review and rebate disbursement. After site visit, application goes through final review and rebate processing. Customer receives notification of rebate application completion. Expect rebate check 4-6 weeks after final rebate approval.

Best Practices System Design Guide (coming soon)

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