|
Photo Credit:Grassroots Ecology
|
Rebate Amount: $1.50/ ft²
Size: Minimum of 100 square feet
Cost: $3–$40+/ ft²
Must be installed by
a licensed contractor.
Commonly used for walkways,
driveways, parking lots, patios, and low speed minimal traffic areas.
|
Receive a pervious pavement rebate of $1.50/square foot when
you apply before installation!
Applicants can receive a pervious
pavement rebate at a rate of $1.50/square foot up to $1,000 for residential
properties and $10,000 for commercial properties. Please see details in the chart below. Applicants can apply for more
than one rebate on one property over multiple calendar years if the maximum rebate cap has not been reached. Each property is limited to a lifetime rebate cap as listed
below. A lifetime rebate indicates the total rebate funding that can be issued to one property across that property’s lifetime and multiple rebates.
| Property Type |
Pervious Pavement Rebate |
Pervious Pavement Rebate Maximum |
City Lifetime Rebate Maximum |
| Residential |
$1.50/square foot |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Commercial
(includes multi-family properties)
|
$1.50/square foot |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
Don’t stop at just a pervious pavement installation! Palo Alto applicants are eligible for a total of $3,000 for residential properties and $55,000 for commercial properties on a variety of rebates from Valley Water and the City of Palo Alto (City). You can browse these options on Valley Water’s Rebate Page and the City's Rebate Program Page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Install Pervious Pavement?
Pervious Pavement is a porous solid form of pavement that allows surface runoff to collect into the ground or an underground pipe and slowly percolate through to the soil to irrigate landscapes. It reduces or eliminates stormwater runoff by providing porous surface space through which water can enter. Rainfall flows quickly across paved surfaces, picking up accumulated surface pollutants and draining directly to gutters and storm drains, and eventually to local creeks and the San Francisco Bay. Pervious Pavement helps reduce the amount of pollution that enters our creeks and the Bay and limits flooding concerns by mitigating this rainfall accumulation.
Pervious Pavement is a porous solid form of pavement that allows surface runoff to collect into the ground or an underground pipe and slowly percolate through to the soil to irrigate landscapes. It reduces or eliminates stormwater runoff by providing porous surface space through which water can enter. Rainfall flows quickly across paved surfaces, picking up accumulated surface pollutants and draining directly to gutters and storm drains, and eventually to local creeks and the San Francisco Bay. Pervious Pavement helps reduce the amount of pollution that enters our creeks and the Bay and limits flooding concerns by mitigating this rainfall accumulation.
Pervious Pavement is often used in parking areas and walkways or on low-speed residential roads with limited vehicle traffic. Pervious Pavement does not require a dedicated surface area for treatment and allows a site to maintain its existing hardscape (as opposed to replacement with plant/grass material).
Other Benefits of Pervious Pavement include:
- Provides the structural support and stability of a traditional hardscape surface, but acts as a pervious surface and allows for stormwater treatment.
- Pervious Pavement can reduce the size of other stormwater control measures and work in ultra-urban locations with limited space for treatment.
- Pervious Pavement can alleviate local ponding by allowing water to infiltrate instead of collecting on the surface.
- Send application and required documents to the Watershed Protection Group at cleanbay@cityofpaloalto.org
Some pervious surfaces may also allow for low grasses to grow within the openings and blend in with other landscaping in the area.
Where Do I Get Started?
STEP 1 – APPLICATION SUBMITTAL
- Read and agree to the City's Terms and Conditions (below) of the Stormwater Rebate Program.
- Complete the City's Application Form and provide the required documentation. The following information must be included in the application:
1.) Brief narrative description of project
• Explain purpose of pervious pavement installation.
• Describe how the system will function and how it will be maintained.
2.) Installation plans
• Blueprint or hand drawing shows outline of property and where the pervious
pavement will be installed.
• Installation plans list the contractor who will be installing the pervious pavement
and includes a copy of his license.
3.) Product data (model, vendor, type, features, etc.)
• Any necessary permits or proof of pending permit application (see below)
For applicants who cannot access the online application, a hard copy is available upon request by emailing cleanbay@cityofpaloalto.org or calling the Watershed Protection Group at 650-329-2122.
STEP 2 – DESIGN REVIEW
- Watershed Protection staff receive and review the application and attached documents, including the proposed design. Applicants is contacted to confirm receipt.
- Staff contacts the applicant to set up a pre-inspection.
- After a pre-inspection approval, a “Notice to Proceed” is issued prior to installation.
STEP 3 – INSTALLATION
- Complete the installation within the 90-day period after receiving a “Notice to Proceed”.
- Notify the City once the installation is complete.
- The City arranges a post-inspection. A post-inspection must be completed for rebate eligibility.
STEP 4 – FINAL DOCUMENTATION
- Submit all documentation to the City by email (including the IRS W-9 when requested if not previously submitted).
- For all applicants who receive a Pervious Pavement rebate totaling at least $600, note that the City of Palo Alto Accounts Payable Department will contact the Applicant at the beginning of the following calendar year to complete an IRS Form 1099.
- Receive rebate payment within 6-8 weeks of final approval.
Terms and Conditions
- Applications must be issued a Notice to Proceed prior to the start of the pervious pavement installation. Rebates will not be processed until all supporting documents, including permits, have been received. Required supporting documentation must be postmarked/scanned and submitted no later than 90 days after the purchase date of the eligible measure in order to receive rebate.
- Failure to provide appropriate documentation shall result in rebate ineligibility. City of Palo Alto reserves the right to validate all information, including proof of purchase by a Palo Alto resident or business, and completeness and functionality of installation before issuing a rebate.
- Rebates valid only on types of pervious pavement specified on the application and program materials.
- Qualifying measures previously rebated under any other program, including, but not limited to those outside of the City of Palo Alto, are not eligible.
- Property Owner and Tenant release the City of Palo Alto from, and assume all liability for, any losses, damages, injuries (including death), demands, claims, actions, or debts based upon or arising from participation in the Stormwater Rebate Program.
- The City of Palo Alto reserves the right to change, modify or reduce rebate levels, as well as add or drop specific eligible measures at any time without prior notice.
- City of Palo Alto disclaims any and all liability from any property damage or loss that may arise as a result of the applicant’s or contractor’s participation in this program.
- City of Palo Alto shall not be responsible for claims regarding rebate amounts, program dates or guidelines made by contractors, retailers or other third parties. Final determination of rebate eligibility will be governed by the Terms and Conditions.
- City of Palo Alto is neither responsible for items lost or delayed in the mail, nor any remittance delayed due to incorrect rebate applications. Incomplete applications cannot be processed and will be returned.
- The Internal Revenue Service requires the City to issue an IRS Form 1099 (Miscellaneous Income) to rebate program participants receiving a total of $600 or more in stormwater rebates from the City. This is only applicable to pervious pavement applicants who apply through the City’s program.
What Are the Components of a Pervious Pavement
- 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. Depending on the selection of pervious pavement, bedding materials may consist of stone or compacted soil.
- The base provides structure to the pavement.
- The subbase is the stone layer where the water is retained before percolating into the soil subgrade. The subbase can also be soil.
- The soil subgrade is the layer which the water passes through into its final infiltration into the ground. This layer is typically made up of the natural material of the earth in the area, compacted.
- The drain is optional but may be installed to provide additional water diversion after infiltration.
|
 |
| *Disclaimer: 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 each installation. |
Where Can I Find a Contractor to Install Pervious Pavement?
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. All the contractors on this list have completed training in permeable, or pervious pavement. Please reference this list to begin your search. The City is not responsible for any damage or misconstruction as a result of an unlicensed contractor or DIY installation.
Types of Pervious Pavement
This rebate is provided for the following types of Pervious Pavement. If your preferred pervious pavement is not listed, contact the Watershed Protection Group at cleanbay@cityofpaloalto.org or by calling (650) 329-2122 to inquire whether this preference is eligible for a rebate:
- Porous Asphalt
- Pervious Concrete
- Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICP)
- Grid Pavement
1.) Porous Asphalt
Porous (or open-graded) Asphalt contains no fine aggregate particles, thereby creating void spaces between the large aggregate comprising the pavement. This allows water to collect within and drain through the pavement. Porous Asphalt can increase safety on a road by reducing hydroplaning. Porous Asphalt tends to be lower in cost than individual pavers like grid pavement or PICP.
 |
|
Porous Asphalt Diagram: Example Design
|
|
2.) Pervious Concrete
Pervious Concrete is made from carefully controlled amounts of water and cementitious materials used to create a paste that forms a thick coating around large aggregate particles. Unlike conventional concrete, the mixture contains little or no sand, creating a substantial void content of 15% to 25% that allows water to flow through the pavement. Pervious Concrete is lower in cost than individual pavers like PICP or grid pavement. Pervious Concrete can be seen locally in the parking stalls at the Mitchell Park Library as pictured to the right.
|
Pervious Concrete Parking Stalls at the Mitchell Park Library
|
 |
|
Pervious Concrete Diagram: Example Design
|
3.) Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICP)
Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICP) allow water to pass through the joint spacing between solid pavers. The void spaces between the crushed stones store water and infiltrate it into the soil subgrade. Not all interlocking concrete pavements are permeable — there must be openings between the pavers, and the openings must be filled with small aggregate (not sand) for the pavement to be effectively permeable. For aesthetic and maintenance reasons, PICP is more popular in walkways, crosswalks, and other similar features. PICP may be more easily repairable than Porous Asphalt or Pervious Concrete as small portions can be removed individually.
 |
|
Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers (PICP) Diagram: Example Design
|
4.) Grid Pavement
Grid Pavement consists of a concrete or plastic grid structure filled with decorative gravel or planted with grass and underlain by a sandy gravel mixture of base material that promotes infiltration of stormwater. Grid Pavement looks and acts like pervious landscaping, but still provides structural support for occasional light use. It is often used low traffic parking lots and playing fields. Grid Pavement is most effective when installed in areas with light traffic and is often used for low-traffic parking lots and playing fields. Larger commercial properties that regularly have trucks and other large automobiles may opt for pervious concrete or porous asphalt.
The two most common forms of Grid Pavement are Grass Flexible Porous Pavement and Gravel Flexible Porous Pavement.
 |
|
Gravel Flexible Porous Pavement Diagram: Example Design
|
 |
| Grass Flexible Porous Pavement Diagram: Example Design |
Minimum Criteria for Pervious Pavement
- Pavement must be 100 square foot minimum in size.
- Pervious pavement (no matter the type) must be installed by an experienced, licensed contractor.
- Residential and Non-Residential projects greater than 2,500 square feet may require permits and are required to install one or more design features to increase permeable surfaces on the property. Pervious pavements count toward this requirement.
- SFPUC List of Green Infrastructure-Trained Contractors
All the contractors on this list have completed training in permeable pavement or pervious pavement. Please reference this list to begin your search. The City is not responsible for any damage or construction mistakes as a result of an unlicensed contractor or DIY installation.
Back to the City of Palo Alto Stormwater Rebate Program Homepage