Apply for a Pervious Pavement Rebate

Applicants can receive a pervious pavement rebate at a rate of $1.50/square foot. For example, a 200-square foot pervious pavement project will receive a $300 rebate. The City of Palo Alto partners with Valley Water to offer cost sharing for Stormwater Rebates. Each property has City Stormwater Rebate lifetime maximum and Valley Water Rebate lifetime maximum. The City Stormwater Rebate lifetime maximum is the total amount of funding that one property can receive across that property’s lifetime specific to Stormwater Rebates offered by the City. The rebates included in the Stormwater Rebate lifetime maximum are:

• Rain Barrel Rebate
• Cistern Rebate
• Pervious Pavement Rebate
• Rain Garden Rebate

The Valley Water Rebate lifetime maximum is the total amount of funding that one property can receive across the property lifetime and includes all rebate types offered by the City of Palo Alto and Valley Water (Landscape Conversion, Irrigation Equipment, and Stormwater Rebates). For more information on rebate lifetime maximums please visit Valley Water's Program Overview webpage. 

Pervious Pavement allows rainfall to infiltrate into the soil below and reduces runoff and related street ponding.  Pervious pavement can be designed to match the aesthetic value of a home.

Your licensed contractor can help you determine the best type of pervious pavement for you and your home or business. Check out the two resources below for a list of contractors. The City is not responsible for any damage or construction mistakes caused by a contractor, landscape professional or any other individual.

SFPUC Trained Green Infrastructure Contractors
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission publishes a list of contractors who have completed the SFPUC Green Infrastructure Training to perform work licensed in the State of California. This certifies that these contractors have completed training in construction of green infrastructure.

Rescape Qualified Professionals Directory
Rescape regularly updates a directory of local contractors that have completed their qualifying trainings. These trainings use a sustainable, holistic approach to the design and management of a landscape. They work with nature to conserve water and soil, reduce waste, and prevent pollution. You can find a Rescape Qualified Professional near you in this directory. 

Per the City of Palo Alto, these are the requirements to receive a rebate:

1. Pervious pavement must be considered one of the following:
   • Porous Asphalt
   • Pervious Concrete
   • Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICP)
   • Grid Pavement
2. Pervious pavement must be installed by an experienced, licensed contractor.
3. Pervious pavement must be at least 100 square feet in size.
4. Pervious pavement must not impede window egress or safe passage for travel.
5. If your pervious pavement project meets any of the criteria listed under “Do I need a City permit for installation of pervious pavement?” below, you need to obtain appropriate permits from the City of Palo Alto Development Center. Please contact the Development Center at (650) 329-2496 and select Option 3 for the Building Plan Check Team when prompted.
6. Pervious pavement must not be installed before a "Notice to Proceed" has been issued by the City. Rebates will not be processed until all supporting documents, including permits, have been received. 
7. Pervious pavement must not be previously rebated under any other program, including, but not limited to, those outside of the City of Palo Alto.

Pervious Pavement is often used in parking areas, walkways, and residential roads with limited vehicle traffic.

• Pervious Pavement is the only visible component of the structure once it has been installed. This is the top layer of the installation.
• The bedding provides temporary storage for the stormwater to infiltrate the surface. Bedding materials may consist of stone or compacted soil.
• The base provides structure to the pavement.
• The subbase is the stone layer that retains the water before it percolates into the soil subgrade. The subbase can also be soil.
• The soil subgrade is the final layer which water infiltrates. This layer is typically made up of the natural material of the area, compacted.
• The drain is optional but can provide water diversion after infiltration.

Each of these layers may vary in material, depth, and compaction depending on the project and type of pervious pavement. Please consult with your contractor to determine the proper material, compaction, and depth for your installation.

Any pervious pavement installation with the following features will need a building permit or consultation with the City of Palo Alto Development Center before installation:

• Pervious pavement projects sized greater than or equivalent to 2,500 square feet
• Commercial pervious pavement projects

To inquire about permitting, contact the Development Center at (650) 329-2496 and select Option 3 for Building Plan Check Team when prompted. Permit approval should be submitted at the time of your Rebate Program application.

Pervious pavement needs little maintenance once installed. The Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA)(PDF, 706KB) suggests that owners follow these simple steps to maintain their pervious pavement:

• Avoid blowing leaves, grass trimmings and other debris across permeable pavement. Leaf blowers force dirt and debris into pavement void spaces
• Remove weeds from pavement and replace missing sand or gravel between pavers as needed
• Inspect subdrain outlets (if applicable) yearly to verify they are not blocked
• Inspect pavement after rains for ponding or other visible problems. If there are problems with standing water, vacuum sweeping with specialized equipment may be required. Concrete grid pavers do not require sweeping