California Native Landscaping Rebates

Rebate of $2 per square foot for turf removal, with a 250 sq ft minimum (projects under 250 sq ft may still qualify if they convert all existing turf on the property) and a 5,000 sq ft maximum per application per fiscal year. Additional $100 per tree rebate (up to 5 trees). No free landscape design assistance; up to $1,000 rebate available for professional design services that meet program design requirements (confirmed by MWDOC, August 2026).

Program is run through MWDOC (Municipal Water District of Orange County). Fall planting recommended for best results.

Combines LADWP ($3/sq ft) and Metropolitan Water District ($2/sq ft) rebates for removing turf and replacing with California-friendly or native plants. Additional $100/tree rebate (up to 5 trees). Maximum 5,000 sq ft residential.

One of the most generous turf replacement programs in the country. Apply through SoCal Water$mart portal.

County Waterscape enhancement for residents of the unincorporated county (customers of districts like Helix, Otay, Padre Dam, Sweetwater, Vallecitos): enhanced per-square-foot rates plus a $1/sq ft bonus for California native plants, on residential projects up to 5,000 sq ft. City of San Diego residents qualify for the base SoCal Water$mart rebate of $2.00/sq ft through the same portal, without the county enhancement (County of San Diego watershed rebates + SoCal Water$mart pages, last verified June 2026).

Native plant bonus incentivizes using California-native species over non-native drought-tolerant alternatives. Note: unincorporated-county residents given a Notice to Proceed in July 2026 will not receive the $1/sq ft county native-plant bonus if applying through SoCal Water$mart before August 1, 2026; the base SoCal Water$mart rate is unaffected (per an official program-page update, checked 2026-07-15).

Base rebate of $2/sq ft for residential projects up to 5,000 sq ft, plus $100/tree (max 5 trees). Stacks with local water agency rebates. Apply through the SoCal Water$mart portal. LADWP customers in Los Angeles already receive the MWD base rebate bundled into their LADWP program - see the LADWP entry.

Regional base rebate for MWD member agencies outside Los Angeles. LA city customers should apply through LADWP, which already includes the MWD $2/sq ft base.

Rebate of $1.50 per square foot for replacing grass with drought-tolerant or native plants. Preferred plant list includes 830+ varieties with 300+ California natives. Must include drip irrigation with WaterSense smart controller.

Sacramento allocates ~$1M annually for this program. Plant list expanded significantly in 2025 with 250+ new varieties.

$1-$4 per square foot for removing lawn and replacing with low-water or native landscaping, rate set by member water agency: Brisbane and Hillsborough $1/sq ft; Burlingame, Millbrae, Redwood City, San Bruno $2/sq ft; Menlo Park $3/sq ft; Mid-Peninsula WD, North Coast County WD, and Foster City/Estero MID $4/sq ft. An optional Rain Garden Rebate adds $300 for most agencies (not Foster City/EMID or Hillsborough). Some agencies cap the total rebate (Hillsborough and North Coast County WD at $2,500). Santa Clara County cities (Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara) are NOT served by BAWSCA; those residents should use Valley Water's program instead.

Availability and rate vary by member agency - verify with your specific water provider. Cities in Santa Clara County (Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto) may also qualify for Santa Clara Valley Water rebates. Apply to both programs if eligible.

$1 per square foot for replacing lawn with low-water or drought-tolerant landscaping. Residential cap of $2,000. Pre-approval required before removing turf. CCWD serves central and eastern Contra Costa County.

CCWD serves Concord, Walnut Creek, Martinez, and surrounding Contra Costa County cities. Verify current funding availability before applying.

Two tiers. Standard rebate: $1 per square foot for replacing lawn with climate-appropriate low-water plants, capped at $2,000 in any 24-month period. Super Rebate: $2 per square foot (same $2,000 cap, twice the coverage area) for projects that use sheet mulching with cardboard, plant-based mulch plus a half-inch of compost, mostly California native plants, and planting between September and February.

The Super Rebate doubles the per-square-foot rate for projects that meet the additional ecological requirements. Same $2,000 residential cap either way, but the higher rate covers twice the converted area for the same money. EBMUD serves Oakland, Berkeley, and surrounding East Bay cities. Funding is allocated first-come, first-served each fiscal year.

Rebate of $2 per square foot for converting approved high-water lawns and pools to low-water landscapes. Funding available through June 30, 2026 or until depleted. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

Valley Water serves San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and surrounding cities in Santa Clara County.