Sacramento Area Turf Removal Rebates — $1–$3/Sq Ft

How to Apply

1. 1

   Find your water agency

   Use the ZIP code lookup at saveourwater.com/yardrebates to identify which water agency serves your address. Your water bill also shows the agency name. This determines which program, rate, and application process applies to you.

   Find your program at saveourwater.com
2. 2

   Review your agency's plant list and project requirements

   Each program has a qualifying plant list and coverage requirements. City of Sacramento requires 60% plant coverage and at least 5 plants. SSWD requires 25% low-water-use native coverage. Download your agency's requirements before designing your planting to avoid rejection at the post-inspection.

3. 3

   Submit an application and schedule your pre-inspection — before touching any turf

   Apply through your agency's website or portal. Most agencies conduct a virtual pre-inspection via photos rather than an in-person visit. You must receive written approval before removing any turf. All programs are first-come, first-served and subject to available funding.

   City of Sacramento application
4. 4

   Complete the conversion within the agency's timeline

   Most programs allow 90–120 days after approval. Roseville gives 90 days with a hard deadline. Folsom requires you to start within 30 days and finish within 90. Keep all receipts for plants, irrigation equipment, and eligible labor.

5. 5

   Schedule the post-inspection and receive your rebate

   Notify your agency when the project is complete and submit after photos. After the post-inspection passes, most agencies issue a rebate check within 4–8 weeks. Sacramento Suburban Water District and American Water Sacramento may issue a 1099 for rebates of $600 or more.

How do I know which program applies to me?

Your water bill shows who provides your water service. City of Sacramento residents are served by Sacramento City Utilities. Residents in unincorporated county areas (parts of south Sacramento, Rancho Cordova fringe, Elk Grove fringe) may be Sacramento County Water Agency customers. Fair Oaks, Orangevale, and parts of Citrus Heights and Rancho Cordova are served by Sacramento Suburban Water District. Roseville and Folsom have their own city utilities. The fastest check is the ZIP code lookup at saveourwater.com/yardrebates — enter your zip and it points you to the specific agency. Note: SMUD is the electric utility for much of Sacramento, not a water utility — SMUD does not offer turf rebates.

• City of Sacramento customers: cityofsacramento.gov — $1.50/sqft, max $3,000 residential
• Sacramento County Water Agency customers: waterresources.saccounty.gov — $1.00/sqft, max $2,000
• Sacramento Suburban Water District (Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Citrus Heights): sswd.org — up to $1.50/sqft, max $2,250
• City of Roseville customers: roseville.ca.gov — $1.50/sqft, max $2,000 (or $3.00/sqft for narrow strips under 10 ft)
• City of Folsom customers: folsom.ca.us — $1.00/sqft, max $2,000
• American Water Sacramento customers: amwater.com — $2.00/sqft, up to 2,000 sqft

Pre-approval: the most important step

Every Sacramento area agency has the same hard rule: do not remove any turf before receiving written approval from your water agency. This applies even to already-brown or drought-stressed lawn — the grass must be physically present at the time of application. Remove it early and you lose eligibility for that square footage. After approval, most programs give you 90–120 days to complete the project. The City of Roseville is the strictest: 90 days from pre-inspection, no exceptions.

What does the replacement planting need to include?

Requirements vary slightly by agency, but the common thread across all Sacramento programs is: drought-tolerant, low-water-use, non-invasive plants covering at least 50–60% of the converted area at maturity, plus mulch on all bare soil. No artificial turf is eligible under any program. The City of Sacramento requires at least 60% plant coverage at maturity with a minimum of 5 plants, plus a drip irrigation system with an EPA WaterSense smart controller (or hand-watering only). SSWD requires at least 25% low-water-use or native plant coverage. Roseville requires drip irrigation or hand-watering. Folsom requires 30-day project start and 90-day completion.

• Drought-tolerant, low-water-use, non-invasive plants — all programs require this
• No artificial turf (excluded by every program)
• Minimum 50–60% plant coverage at maturity (City of Sacramento requires 60%; others 25–50%)
• Mulch: 2–5 inches on all bare soil (City of Sacramento); organic or inorganic
• Drip irrigation required or convert to hand-watering only (City of Sacramento, Roseville)
• At least 5 plants minimum (City of Sacramento)
• California natives accepted and encouraged by all programs