The Best Management Practice (BMP) Program has been developed to provide financial assistance for property owners to install BMPs pertaining to stormwater quality. The program is intended to help cover the costs of materials such as plantings, dirt, rock, pavement, and contractor labor used to install such practices. The goals of the program are to improve the quality of stormwater runoff and reduce the amount of pollutants entering the City’s storm sewer system and the local waterways.

The City of Iowa City offers a storm water cost-share program to encourage residents to implement infiltration practices on their own property to reduce their storm water runoff volume, while enhancing their yard health and aesthetics. Practices that qualify under this program and their cost-share reimbursement rates are the following:

• Bio-Cell or bio-swale – Reimbursement of 50%, up to the $3,000.00 of the practice’s total cost
• Permeable Pavers– Reimbursement of 50%, up to the $3,000.00 of the practice’s total cost.
• Rain Gardens- Reimbursement of 50%, up to the $3,000.00 of the practice’s total cost.
• Soil Quality Restoration (SQR)- Reimbursement of 50%, up to the $2,000.00 of the practice’s total cost.

Conditions of the Program

• The property owner is responsible for the payment of all expenses associated with the work. Upon submittal of paid receipts, the City will reimburse the property owner within 30 days for costs approved by this application.
• Implementation of an approved project is the sole responsibility of the property owner. The City is not liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from said work.
• Projects approved for funding carry no implied warrantee by the City. Implementation and maintenance are the responsibility of the property owner.