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California Water Rebates

Oakland, California Water Rebates

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) runs a Lawn Conversion Rebate for customers in Oakland, Berkeley, and the surrounding East Bay. It pays $1 per square foot to replace lawn with low-water plants, capped at $2,000 in any 24-month period. The Super Rebate doubles the rate to $2 per square foot, same $2,000 cap, which covers twice the area for the same money if you meet the extra ecological steps. You have to get written approval before you remove anything.

$1 to $2 / sq ft, up to $2,000

Lawn Conversion Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

  1. Confirm you are an EBMUD water customer
  2. Apply and get written approval before removing any lawn
  3. Decide between the standard tier or the Super Rebate steps (sheet mulch, compost, natives, cool-season planting)
  4. Remove the lawn and install low-water plants at 50% coverage minimum, with 3 inches of mulch and permeable hardscape only
  5. Submit your after photos and receipts to receive $1 or $2 per sq ft, up to the $2,000 cap

What you'll need

  • EBMUD account number
  • Before photos of the existing lawn
  • Written approval confirmation
  • Planting plan or plant list
  • After photos and itemized receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks low-water California natives suited to the East Bay around Oakland and Berkeley, designs an HOA-friendly layout that meets the 50% coverage and mulch requirements, and assembles your before-photo and plant-list packet for the standard or Super Rebate tier.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Don't remove your lawn before you have written approval. Starting early disqualifies the project.
  • Don't install synthetic turf. EBMUD does not count it as an eligible conversion.
  • Don't claim the $2 Super Rebate rate without meeting every extra step (sheet mulch, compost, majority natives, Sept to Feb planting).
  • Don't wait late in the fiscal year. Funding is allocated first-come, first-served.

Oakland Water Rebate FAQs

How much does EBMUD pay to remove a lawn?
$1 per square foot at the standard tier, or $2 per square foot with the Super Rebate, both capped at $2,000 in any 24-month period (East Bay Municipal Utility District, verified June 2026).
What is the difference between the standard rebate and the Super Rebate?
The Super Rebate pays $2 per square foot instead of $1 under the same $2,000 cap, so it covers twice the area for the same money. To qualify you sheet-mulch with cardboard, add a half-inch of compost, use mostly California natives, and plant between September and February.
Can I remove my lawn first and apply later?
No. You have to apply and get written approval before removing any grass. Starting work early disqualifies the project.
Does artificial turf qualify?
No. Synthetic turf is not an eligible conversion. At least 50% of the converted area has to be planted with living low-water plants.

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Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.

Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.

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Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.

We compile these programs from utility and city pages, and not every amount here has been independently confirmed. Program details also change throughout the year. Always verify requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with your water utility before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.