Tempe, Arizona Water Conservation Rebates (2025 Guide)

How to Apply for Tempe Water Rebates

1. 1

   Schedule a free consultation with a Tempe water conservation specialist

   Book a Grass Removal & Conversion Rebate Consultation via the City of Tempe's online booking system. Specialists walk through removal best practices, plant selection guides, and rebate terms. Pre-approval is required — this consultation is part of getting that approval.

   Book a consultation with Tempe Water
2. 2

   Receive written pre-approval before removing any grass

   Do not remove any turf until you have written authorization from the City of Tempe. Only future grass removal is eligible — work done before pre-approval is disqualified from the rebate.

3. 3

   Complete the conversion to desert landscaping

   Remove the grass and install a desert-adapted landscape. At least 30% of the removed area must be planted with desert-adapted plants (measured at plant maturity). Bare rock or mulch covering the entire area does not meet the program requirement.

4. 4

   Submit the rebate application at waterrebates.com/tempe

   Apply online at the City of Tempe's rebate portal. If your total City of Tempe rebates for the calendar year will reach $600 or more, include a completed W-9 form with your application or email it to conservation@tempe.gov.

   You'll need:

   • Before-and-after photos of the conversion area
   • W-9 form (required if total Tempe rebates reach $600+ in the calendar year)

   Submit rebate at waterrebates.com/tempe

City of Tempe Grass Removal & Conversion Rebate: $0.50/sq ft, up to $2,000

Tempe residential water customers can receive $0.50 per square foot for converting irrigated grass to a low-water desert landscape, up to $2,000 per home per fiscal year. The converted area must meet a 30% plant coverage requirement at plant maturity — bare rock or mulch alone does not satisfy the program. Only future grass removal is eligible; previously removed grass cannot be retroactively included. Pre-approval is required before any demolition begins. A free consultation with a City of Tempe water conservation specialist is available and helpful for first-time applicants. The rebate is stackable with Tempe's Desert Plant Rebate (TreeBate) and high-efficiency irrigation rebate — combined savings can exceed $2,500.

• Active City of Tempe water service account at the project address
• Pre-approval required before removing any grass
• Only future grass removal is eligible (previously removed grass does not qualify)
• 30% of removed grass area must be planted with desert-adapted plants at maturity
• Maximum $2,000 per home per fiscal year
• W-9 required if total Tempe rebates received in a calendar year reach $600 or more