Control Stormwater Runoff from Your Yard

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For questions about controlling stormwater runoff, contact DEP: 311

Email: AskDEP@montgomerycountymd.gov

Get rewarded for stormwater-friendly yard landscaping through the County’s RainScapes Program

Stormwater control is required by law, and the County is held accountable through a rigorous state permit. (Learn more about the County’s NPDES Stormwater Permit). This page lists actions you can take to control stormwater from your yard that range from everyday gardening practices to installation of integrated landscaping features. All of these practices can help reduce stormwater runoff from your yard.

Once you have read the information below, read more tips for environmentally-friendly landscaping.

Everyday Gardening Practices

Don’t use fertilizer or pesticides near ditches, gutters, or storm drains, where direct runoff of these contaminants can easily occur. Never dispose of lawn or garden chemicals in storm drains. This is illegal stormwater pollution.
Use pesticides sparingly—more is not better! “Spot” apply, rather than “blanket” apply. Apply garden products sparingly, and follow all label instructions.
Don’t use fertilizer or pesticides before a rain. When watering your lawn, use the least amount of water possible so it doesn't run into the street, carrying pesticides and other chemicals with it.
Don’t blow, sweep, hose, or rake leaves or other yard trimmings into the street, gutter, or storm drain. Learn how to dispose of yard trim.
Compost yard waste.
Use nontoxic or less-toxic products to reduce the amount of chemicals applied to your garden and lawn whenever possible.
Grasscycle. Grasscycling simply means recycling grass clippings right in your own yard. It’s a fast, easy, and simple solution for managing grsss clippings.

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Seven Measures to Reduce Runoff

Disconnect Your Downspout

Learn how to capture runoff from your rooftop by disconnecting your downspout. Rooftop runoff can be redirected overland or into a rain barrel.

Landscape with Native Plants

With deeper tap roots, reduced fertilizer needs, and drought resistance, native plants are ideally suited to help control stormwater and nutrient pollution from yards. Learn more about landscaping with native plants.

RainScapes Rewards Eligible

Plant a Tree

Leaves intercept raindrops and reduce stormwater runoff. Learn how to plant and take care of trees.

RainScapes Rewards Eligible

Install a Rain Barrel

Use a rain barrel connected to a roof downspout to hold rooftop runoff.

RainScapes Rewards Eligible

Capture Rainfall in a Rain Barrel, Cistern, or Dry Well

Redirect runoff from rooftops or driveways in a storage cell.

A cistern is a water-harvesting container that is larger than a rain barrel and can be located aboveground or partially or fully underground.

A dry well is a type of infiltration system that collects stormwater in a small stone-filled pit and then allows the water to infiltrate into underlying soils. Linear dry wells can be installed alongside driveways to receive runoff. Dry wells work well in areas where space is limited and landscaping features are not desired.

RainScapes Rewards Eligible

Plant a Rain Garden

Instead of gardening in a raised bed, try planting special plants in a depression that has at least 2 feet of amended, permeable soil underneath. Runoff will gravitate there and then slowly drain downward.

RainScapes Rewards Eligible

Use Permeable Pavers

Using permeable pavers for your driveway and walkways helps to recharge groundwater and reduces runoff

RainScapes Rewards Eligible

RainScapes Rewards Eligible: The RainScapes Program provides rebates to defray the costs of selected landscaping techniques. Note that the program provides rebates for other measures, such as installing a green roof, as well as combinations of measures.

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Control Stormwater Runoff from Your Yard

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Everyday Gardening Practices

Seven Measures to Reduce Runoff