California Water Rebates
EBMUD Lawn Conversion Rebate: $1–$2/Sq Ft for Oakland, Berkeley, and East Bay
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) offers the Lawn Conversion Rebate Program for residential customers in Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Walnut Creek, Orinda, and other East Bay service area cities. The standard rebate is $1 per square foot for removing lawn and replacing it with climate-appropriate, low-water plants. The Super Rebate doubles the rate to $2 per square foot for projects that use sheet mulching with compost, are planted during the cool season (September through February), and use California native plants for at least 50% of plant coverage. The maximum rebate is $2,000 per 24-month period. Pre-approval is required before starting any work (last verified May 2026, ebmud.com).
Common steps for every program in this guide
- Submit the pre-approval application at ebmud.com before removing any lawn. Go to ebmud.com and navigate to the Lawn Conversion Rebate application (or apply directly at form.jotform.com/ebmud/landscape-rebate-program). Include your EBMUD account number, the planned square footage, and photos of the existing lawn. Specify whether you are pursuing the standard rebate or the Super Rebate. Do not remove any lawn before you receive written approval.
- Receive written approval and complete the conversion within 9 months. EBMUD will review your application and issue written approval. Once approved, remove the lawn and install the climate-appropriate, low-water landscaping per your plan. If pursuing the Super Rebate, apply sheet mulch with compost during the conversion, use California native plants for at least 50% of coverage, and complete during September through February. Complete within 9 months of the approval date.
- Submit completion documentation and receive your rebate. After completing the project, submit the post-completion photos, measured square footage, and receipts to EBMUD. EBMUD will verify the project meets the requirements (standard or Super Rebate) and process the rebate payment - $1/sq ft standard or $2/sq ft Super Rebate, up to $2,000.
Full application guide for East Bay: required documents and how to avoid rejection
Rebates available
$1/sq ft standard, $2/sq ft Super Rebate
EBMUD Lawn Conversion Rebate Program
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)$2/sq ft
Super Rebate: $2/Sq Ft for California Natives + Sheet Mulching
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)EBMUD Lawn Conversion Rebate FAQs
What cities are in the EBMUD service area?
How do I qualify for the $2/sq ft Super Rebate?
Can I apply for multiple projects to get more than $2,000?
Rebate Concierge
Free step-by-step help with every rebate above
Every program above comes with a free guided checklist in the Pollinator Patch app: the steps in order, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos and receipts together. A few high-value programs also offer an optional ready-to-file application packet for a one-time $29.99.
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Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.
