Austin Water Rebate for Native Plant Landscaping (How to Apply)
The short version
- Austin Water's WaterWise Landscaping Rebate pays residential customers up to $3,000 for replacing turf with native or drought-tolerant landscaping (Austin Water rebate page, last verified July 2026).
- The turf you convert must be at least 75 percent healthy grass when you apply; dead lawn does not qualify.
- Get pre-approval BEFORE buying materials or starting work. Work started early does not qualify.
- You'll need: before photos, a planting plan, itemized receipts, and after photos showing the completed conversion. The rebate arrives as a mailed check, typically 6 to 8 weeks after verification.
Austin will literally pay you to rip out your lawn. The WaterWise Landscaping Rebate pays residential Austin Water customers up to $3,000 for replacing turf grass with native or drought-tolerant landscaping (Austin Water rebate program page, last verified July 2026). If you've been thinking about converting, this is the push (and the cash) to do it. One rule before anything else: get pre-approval from Austin Water before you buy or install any project material.
What Austin WaterWise actually covers
The program is run through Austin Water and it's been around for years. The basics: residential customers can get up to $3,000 for converting turf to native or drought-tolerant landscaping, and the turf you convert must be at least 75 percent healthy grass when you apply (Austin Water rebate program page, last verified July 2026). Dead lawn does not qualify, which surprises people every summer.
What counts as a qualifying replacement? Native plants, mulched beds, permeable hardscape like gravel or flagstone, and drought-tolerant ground covers. You can't just kill the grass and leave dirt. The city wants to see something intentional go in its place. Check the Austin native plants page for species that qualify.
Not an Austin Water customer? Check LCRA WaterSmart
If your water bill comes from LCRA or one of its firm water customers instead (communities like Leander, Cedar Park, and Marble Falls), the LCRA WaterSmart program pays 50 percent of your cost, up to $3,000 per year. Which program you qualify for depends on who supplies your water, so check your bill before you plan around either number.
How to apply (step by step)
The process isn't hard, but you do need to follow it in order. Skipping a step is the most common reason people get denied.
- 1. Check eligibility. You need to be an Austin Water customer with an active account. Rental properties qualify if the account holder applies. The area you're converting must be existing, irrigated turf grass.
- 2. Submit your application with before photos. Take clear photos of the lawn you're removing. Include a shot that shows the full area plus a close-up. The online portal walks you through it.
- 3. Wait for pre-approval. Don't buy materials or start work until you get the green light. Austin Water is explicit that any work started, or materials bought, before approval will not qualify. That's the mistake people make most often.
- 4. Do the work. Remove the turf and install your new landscaping, keeping itemized receipts as you go.
- 5. Submit after photos. Same angles as your before shots. The city wants to see the completed conversion with plants, mulch, or hardscape in place.
- 6. Get your rebate. Once they verify the work, Austin Water mails a rebate check, typically 6 to 8 weeks later.
Documentation you'll need
Keep it organized from the start. You'll want before and after photos (dated), your pre-approval confirmation email, receipts for plants and materials, and a simple sketch or plan showing what went where. If you're replacing your lawn step by step, the plan doesn't need to be fancy. A hand-drawn diagram with plant names works.
Timeline and common mistakes
The whole process from application to rebate credit usually runs 3 to 5 months. Most of that is waiting. The actual conversion work takes a weekend or two for a typical front yard.
Common mistakes that get applications denied
- Starting work, or buying materials, before getting pre-approval (this one kills the most applications)
- Converting turf that is less than 75 percent healthy grass
- Not taking clear enough before photos
- Landscaping that conflicts with your HOA's rules (Austin Water can deny the rebate over it, so clear the plan with your board first)
- Leaving bare soil without mulch, plants, or hardscape
Where to buy native plants in Austin
Skip the big box stores for this. You want plants that are actually grown for Central Texas conditions. Barton Springs Nursery on Bee Caves Road is the go-to for native plants in Austin. Their staff knows what works and what doesn't, and they can help you pick species that'll satisfy the rebate requirements.
The Natural Gardener on Old Bee Caves Road is another solid option, especially if you want organic gardening supplies alongside your natives. Both nurseries carry plants that are well-adapted to the Austin area, which means they'll establish faster and need less water from day one.
The cost comparison between native landscaping and traditional lawn breaks down what you'll spend on plants and materials. With the rebate covering a big chunk, most people come out ahead within the first year when you factor in the water savings too. Our getting started guide can help you plan the whole project.
The amounts and rules here reflect the program as of July 2026. For the current terms and a guided walkthrough of the application, see our Austin WaterWise program guide.
Ready to claim your Austin WaterWise rebate?
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right native plants for your Austin zip code and put together a plan you can submit with your rebate application. The app tracks the application for free, pre-approval first, with your photos and receipts in one place.