Beginning in June, nearly 6 million California residents are faced with new water restrictions amid the state’s worst drought in recorded history. State officials continue to implement water conservation efforts, including Southern California residents being asked to cut water usage by 20%-30% and limiting outdoor water usage to one or two days a week for residents. Now in its 3rd year of severe drought conditions, Governor Gavin Newsom warns if water conservation fails to improve, mandatory restrictions may be put in place as early as September.
During this uncertain time, artificial turf as a viable replacement for natural grass in drought-tolerant landscapes carries substantial rebate incentives in participating water districts. The average Californian uses approximately 83 gallons of water daily with 60-70% allocated to outdoor water usage. When factoring in the lack of need to water a synthetic grass lawn or landscape, the water savings becomes a significant contributor to the conservation of resources.
We strongly encourage homeowners and businesses to check with their local authorities for the latest water rebate and conservation information. Below are helpful links to Water District Authority programs throughout California currently participating in turf removal and replacement rebate programs. Please note, water rebate programs are subject to change at any time.
Important Information
Disclaimer: SYNLawn Corporate, SYNLawn Distributors, and affiliates of SYNLawn do not provide rebates. Rebates are the sole discretion of the State, County, City, or Authority and are subject to change at any time without notice. Helpful links are provided below to aid in the discovery of further rebate information. Please contact your local authority for more rebate information.
California Lawn and Water Rebates for Southern California 2022
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Imperial County Water District
With more than 3,000 miles of canals and drains, IID is the largest irrigation district in the nation. IID’s Colorado River water entitlement is unparalleled, and as a trustee of these water rights, IID will continue to responsibly manage this water supply and its related resources for many generations to come. Contact the Imperial County Water District for up-to-date turf rebate information.
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Los Angeles County California Cash for Grass Rebate Program
The Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts offers customers a rebate for removing water-inefficient grass with drought-tolerant landscaping. The current rate is $1 per square foot, with a minimum requirement of 500 sq. ft. and a maximum of $5,000. The Rebate Program assists customers with reducing their overall water consumption. Contact the Los Angeles County Water District Public Works for more rebate information.
https://dpw.lacounty.gov/wwd/web/Conservation/CashforGrass.aspx
(626) 300-3313 -
Orange County California Turf Rebate Program
The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and your local water agency are proud to offer the Turf Removal Program to qualifying residents and businesses across Orange County. Rebates start at $3 per square foot of turf grass removed. Contact the Municipal Water District of Orange County directly for current synthetic turf rebate information.
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Coachella Valley Water District
Residential homeowners are being offered $3.00 per square foot for new landscape conversion projects up to 10,000 square feet or $30,000. All residential landscape rebate projects must be pre-approved before work begins. Residents must also have a green or golden-brown lawn to qualify for this conversion rebate. Eligible Projects are funded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Coachella Valley Water District Rebate Programs (link)
(760) 398-2651 -
San Bernadino County Water and Sanitation Rebates
SBMWD offers several outdoor rebates and incentives to encourage customers to maintain beautiful, water-efficient landscaping. The City of San Bernardino Water Department is offering a $2.00 per square foot rebate incentive for turf replacement with artificial grass up to $400.00.
San Bernadino County Artificial Turf Rebate (link)
(909) 384-5141 -
San Luis Obispo County Cash for Grass Program
The Cash for Grass Program offers monetary incentives for property owners in the Nipomo Mesa Water Conservation Area (NMWCA) and thePaso Robles Groundwater Basin (PRGWB) who are seeking to remove irrigated turf and replace it with approved low water using plants and groundcover. Contact the County of San Luis Obispo for up to date rebate information.
San Luis Obispo County Cash for Grass Program (link)
(800) 834-4636 -
San Diego County Waterscape Rebate Program
The Waterscape Rebate Program focuses on the installation of landscaping and water-wise features, which help you save water, save money, and beautify your home and garden. Rebates are available for residents, businesses and agricultural producers living in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Contact the San Diego County Department of Public Works directly for current artificial grass rebate information.
San Diego County Waterscape Rebate Program (link)
(619) 777-9071 -
Santa Barbara County Water Wise Landscape Rebate Program
Cash for Making Your Garden More Water Wise in Santa Barbara County. Program requirements may vary slightly depending on your service area, so please see the specific details related to your water purveyor’s requirements. Get started by contacting your water provider.
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Carpinteria Valley Water Districts Water Wise Landscape Rebate Program
The Carpinteria Valley Water Districts Water Wise Landscape Rebate Program covers a portion of the cost of pre-approved equipment and materials including artificial turf. In addition, 50% of landscape design costs up to $250 can be rebated within the total rebate amount. Any combination of design costs, irrigation equipment and planting costs may qualify up to a one-time rebate of $500 for single-family homes, and up to $1,000 for commercial, multi-family, and homeowner associations.
Carpinteria Valley Water District Rebate Information (link)
(805) 684-2816, ext. 116 -
The City of Buellton
The City of Buellton offers rebates for replacing lawns with water-efficient plants and synthetic turf. This “Cash for Grass” rebate program offers $1.00 per square foot of rebate with a maximum rebate amount of $750 for eligible residential properties.
The City of Buellton Landscape Rebate Form (link)
(805) 688-7474 -
The City of Lompoc
The City of Lompoc is offering Water Wise Landscape Rebates when you retrofit your existing landscape with WaterWise plants and water-efficient irrigation systems. Substantial water savings must be estimated by City staff to qualify. The rebate amount is up to $1,000 for each address and can include the cost of plants, mulch, and irrigation equipment.
The City of Lompoc Conservation Information (link)
805-875-8298 -
City of Solvang’s Water Conservation Program
As part of the City of Solvang’s Water Conservation Program, the City periodically offers a Turf Replacement Rebate Program. Please see the Turf Replacement Rebate Program Form (PDF), and contact the City’s Utility Billing Clerk at 805-688-5575 for more details.
City of Solvang Landscape Rebate Program Form (link)
(805) 688-5575 -
Goleta Water District
Any combination of pre-approved irrigation equipment and planting costs may qualify for a one-time rebate of up to $750 for single-family meter customers and up to $2,000 per meter for multi-family (HOA), commercial, and dedicated landscape irrigation meter customers (up to 2 meters or $4,000 per multi-family or commercial site). The program also includes 50% of the cost of artificial turf and other permeable surfaces.
Goleta Water District Smart Landscape Rebate Program (link)
(805) 964-6761 -
Vandenberg Village Community Services District Cash 4 Grass Rebates
Vandenberg Village Community Services District is proud to promote a conservation attitude with rebates, grants, and FREE water conservation devices.
Vandenberg Village Community Services District Water Conservation Program (link)
(805) 733-2475
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Ventura County Turf Replacement Program
Contact the Ventura County Public Works for current turf replacement rebate information.
Ventura County Water Wise Incentive Program Information (link)
(866) 983-9232
California Lawn and Water Rebates for Central California 2022
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Fresno County Water Conservation Program Rebate
A $1.00 per square foot rebate is available for the removal of existing lawns when replaced with water-efficient landscapes. The rebate amount is based on the square footage of lawn removed and replaced, up to a maximum of 1,500 square feet. The Water Conservation Program requires that customers request a Water-Wise Landscape Consultation prior to removing a lawn for the Lawn to Garden rebate.
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Kings Turf Replacement Program
City of Kingsburg water customers may be eligible for a rebate when they convert their existing grass area with any qualifying artificial turf products or drought tolerant landscape products. The rebate amount may not exceed $3,000 per residential or commercial City of Kingsburg water account. Project must be a minimum of 250 sq.ft. and maximum of 1500 sq.ft. Turf replacements that include only mulch, gravel, rocks or just artificial turf are not eligible without prior approval.
City of Kingsburg Turf Replacement Rebate Program Guidelines (link)
(559) 897-1066 -
The City of Madera Water Conservation Rebate
City of Madera will pay customers u to $3.00 per square foot to remove up to 1,000 square feet of irrigated turf. Eligible water-efficient replacement landscaping includes drought-tolerant plants appropriate for the Madera area, mulch, rock, stepping stones, permeable hardscape, and artificial turf.
City of Madera Turf Replacement Rebate Program Guidelines (link)
(559) 661-5466 -
Mariposa County Residential Programs
Information not available online, please contact the Mariposa County Energy Assistance, Water, and Weatherization department directly.
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Merced County Rebate Programs
Information not available online, please contact the County of Merced directly.
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Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Landscape Rebates
$1.00 per square-foot to a maximum of 2,500 square-feet per Qualifying Property. A minimum of 250 square-feet of Lawn must be removed. Lawn must be replaced with low water use plants or permeable surfaces (mulch, decomposed granite, Synthetic Turf, etc.).
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San Benito County Turf Removal Program
$2 per square foot, from 100 sq. ft. up to 1,000 sq. ft. The WRASBC is offering a program to reduce or limit turf in residential areas. Turf can use up to 80” of water per year in the San Benito climate and only receives from 11-13” of rain on average.
San Benito County Turf Removal Program (link)
(831) 637-4378 -
Stanislaus County – City of Modesto Rebate Program
City of Modesto water customers may be eligible for a rebate when they convert their existing grass area with any qualifying artificial turf products or drought tolerant landscape products. The rebate amount may not exceed $3,000 per residential City of Modesto water account and/or $6,000 per commercial City of Modesto water account. Funding is limited and applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
City of Modesto Turf Replacement Program (link)
(209) 342-2246 -
Tulare County – City of Tulare Water Conservation
Information not available online, please contact the City of Tulare directly.
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Tuolumne County Utilities District
State regulations require Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) to implement level II of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan and to prohibit Commercial, Industrial, Institutional customers from using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf.
California Lawn and Water Rebates for Northern California 2022
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Alameda County Water District Lawn Be Gone Rebate Program
ACWD is transitioning its turf removal rebate program to a new online platform with assistance from the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA). All ACWD customers can continue to receive a rebate for converting their lawns to water-efficient landscape.* The rebate is based on the number of square feet of lawn converted. ACWD is currently offering $2.00/sq.ft of lawn that is replaced with water-efficient landscape. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first served basis. Funding is limited.
Alameda County Water Conservation Department (link)
(510) 668-4218 -
Contra Costa County Conservation and Development
Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) offers rebates to customers for replacing the lawn in their front yard with water-wise landscaping. The rebate is $1 per square foot of lawn replaced. The maximum rebate for single-family residential sites is $1,000; The maximum rebate for commercial, multi-family, and municipal accounts is $20,000 per site.
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Marin County Water Rebates
Marin Water is offering customers a rebate of up to $3 per square foot for replacing grass in their landscapes. Marin Water offers a great package of rebates and money-saving incentives for water conservation. Saving water isn’t just about saving money. It’s about managing our resources and building a more sustainable future. Check out the Marin County rebate programs following the link below.
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Napa County Water Conservation
The City of Napa offers water customers an incentive to replace their water-thirsty lawns with water-efficient landscaping. The basic program offers $1.00 per square foot to replace eligible lawn areas. Ask about rebates for artificial grass installations.
City of Napa Cash For Grass Turf Replacement Rebate Program (link)
(707) 257-9497 -
Sacramento County Water Agency Cash for Grass program
SCWA customers may receive a rebate of $1.00 psf up to $2,000 per residential household or $1.50 psf up to $2,500 commercial. Rebates will be awarded on a “first come, first served” basis. You will need to convert at least a minimum of two hundred (200) square feet of lawn/turf in accordance with the terms and conditions of the rebate program.
Sacramento County Cash for Grass program (link)
(916) 874-6851 -
San Francisco County Bay Area Lawn Be Gone Rebate
Save water by removing your grass! Replace your lawn with a beautiful, drought-tolerant landscape and receive a rebate of up to $4 per sq.ft. Ask about rebates for artificial grass.
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San Mateo County Water Conservation
The City of San Mateo’s water supply is provided by California Water Service (Cal Water), a private water supplier that provides water to 21 districts in California. Cal Water is responsible for developing and enforcing the compliance plan to meet state regulations. Turf Rebate information not available online.
City of San Mateo Rebate Programs (link)
(650) 522-7000-
Foster City Synthetic Turf Rebate Program
The Estero Municipal Improvement District (EMID) is offering water conservation rebates to residential and irrigation customers that replace their existing and currently irrigated grass lawns with synthetic turf. Residential Customers can receive $4.00 per square foot up to a maximum rebate of $5,000 per customer.
Foster City Synthetic Turf Rebate Program (link)
(650) 286-8140
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Santa Clara County Landscape Rebates
This program is designed to encourage residents and businesses to convert approved high-water use landscape, such as lawns and pools, to low-water use landscape, as well as to retrofit existing irrigation equipment with approved high-efficiency irrigation equipment. Contact Santa Clara County directly for eligibility and information about artificial grass rebates.
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Santa Cruz County Water Conservation Rebates
Connect with the City of Santa Cruz directly about rebate eligibility and incentives for replacing existing grass with synthetic turf.
City of Santa Cruz Lawn Removal Rebate (link)
(831) 420-5235. -
Solano County Water Rebate Programs
Connect with the City of Solano County Water Agency directly about rebate eligibility and incentives for replacing existing grass with synthetic turf.
SCWA Water-Efficient Landscape Rebate Program (link)
(707) 451-6090 -
Sonoma – Marin County Saving Water Partnership
Connect with the Sonoma – Marin County Saving Water Partnership directly about rebate eligibility and incentives for replacing existing grass with synthetic turf.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- California Energy Commission (website link)
(800) 555-7794 - California Water Efficiency Partnership (website link)
(877) 231-3625 - California Water Watch (website link)
(916) 653-5791 - Save Our Water (website link)
(916) 653-5791 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense (website link)
(866) WTR-SENS (987-7367)
