# RiverSmart Homes Shade Trees

> Free trees from DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) (City) for Washington, DC, United States.

Official page: https://doee.dc.gov/service/riversmart-homes
Source: https://treerm.org/residents/programs/doee-riversmart-homes-shade-trees-dc · Updated 2026-11-08 · Status: Open

**What you get:** Shade trees planted on your property for free, with no limit, after a free stormwater audit

RiverSmart Homes is a DOEE program that installs stormwater features on residential properties, including shade trees planted at no charge with no stated limit. Other features such as rain barrels, rain gardens and BayScapes require a copayment. The program is funded by the US EPA Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant and installs about 1,500 features a year.

## Who qualifies

Residential properties in the District with four or fewer units. Renters may sign up with the property owner's consent. Apartment and condo complexes and offices are not eligible (they are directed to RiverSmart Communities or RiverSmart Rebates). Homes that already received every feature they qualify for cannot get more funding.

## How to apply

Complete the online application, wait on the audit waitlist, then a DOEE auditor contacts you to schedule a free stormwater audit that determines which features, including trees, the property qualifies for. Questions: (202) 535-2252. Residents who plant their own shade trees may qualify for a RiverSmart rebate instead.

**For:** Homeowners, Renters

> Note: Applicants are placed on an audit waitlist; the page gives no wait time. The dedicated shade-tree subpage returned 404, so facts come from the main RiverSmart Homes page.