Florida Rebates
Florida Native Landscaping Rebates
Florida water management districts and utilities offer rebates for irrigation improvements, Florida-Friendly landscaping, and stormwater management. Here's every program we've found with requirements and application links.
Last updated: March 2026 · 13 programs tracked
Region guides: Tampa Bay Water Wise (Gulf Coast) covers Tampa, St. Petersburg, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco. South Florida Rebates covers Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Stuart.
The quick version
- Florida rebate programs focus on irrigation efficiency and Florida-Friendly landscaping; a few offer direct turf replacement (Stuart, Alachua, Hillsborough, Pinellas).
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping rebates pay homeowners to convert lawn to native, low-water plants (OUC up to $200, JEA up to $1,000, Manatee 50% up to $1,500).
- Stuart pays $1/sq ft (up to 1,500 sq ft) for turf removal; Alachua County offers 50% up to $2,000 for Turf SWAP.
See the vision
From turf to a native front yard.
An illustrative Patch Vision rendering of a turf-to-native front yard. In the app, every plan is generated from a photo of your own yard, for your sun, soil, and HOA strictness.
How to apply
- 1.Apply for pre-approval before you start. Starting work first is the most common reason applications get denied.
- 2.Take before photos of the area you plan to convert, then matching after photos from the same angles once the work is done.
- 3.Apply early in the fiscal year. Many programs are first-come, first-served. Each program below links to the provider for current rules.
Is the Florida turf rebate still active in 2026?
Yes. 12 of 13 tracked Florida turf-replacement rebate programs are currently active. Amounts vary by city and water provider. Details below were last verified June 2026. Confirm the current amount and deadline with each provider before you apply, since program funding can change mid-year.
| Program | Max rebate | Status | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turf SWAP ProgramAlachua County Environmental Protection | 50% up to $2,000 | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Water Conservation Incentive Program (FFL)City of Apopka | 50% up to $50 | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Smart Irrigation & Drip RebatesLocal utilities (EPA WaterSense) | Varies by utility ($50–$500+ typical) | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Hillsborough FLIP (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program)Hillsborough County | Reimbursement for qualified expenses (3 workshops; up to 500 sq ft) | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Landscape Transformation ProgramJEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority) | Up to $1,000 | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Outdoor Water Conservation RebatesManatee County Utilities | FFL 50% up to $1,500 ($2,500 combined cap) | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Florida-Friendly Landscaping RebateOrlando Utilities Commission (OUC) | $200 | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Florida Water Star Certification RebateOrlando Utilities Commission (OUC) | $300 | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Pinellas FLIP (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program)Pinellas County | 50% up to $2,000 | Paused | Jun 2026 |
| RainCheck Rebate ProgramSarasota County | Up to $5,000 ($500 rain gardens) | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Rainwater Rebate ProgramCity of St. Petersburg | $100 per rain garden | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Turf Replacement ProgramCity of Stuart | $1/sq ft up to 1,500 sq ft | Active | Jun 2026 |
| Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program (FLIP)City of Tampa / Hillsborough County (UF/IFAS) | Reimbursement for qualified expenses (3 workshops; up to 500 sq ft) | Active | Jun 2026 |
Central Florida
3 programs available
Water Conservation Incentive Program (FFL)
City of Apopka
50% off, up to $50, to remove non-drought-tolerant sod and install Florida-Friendly vegetation. Home built before 2009.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping Rebate
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)
Rebates up to $200 (up to 100% of costs) for installing microirrigation systems and Florida-Friendly plants in existing homes. Must include Florida-Friendly plants and permanent irrigation improvements reducing high-volume irrigation to no more than 50%.
OUC focuses on combined plant + irrigation improvements. Smaller rebate amount but covers 100% of eligible costs.
Florida Water Star Certification Rebate
Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)
Rebate for homes meeting Florida Water Star certification criteria, combining Florida-Friendly Landscaping and water-efficiency practices.
Separate from the landscape rebate; can apply for both if eligible.
North Florida
2 programs available
Turf SWAP Program
Alachua County Environmental Protection
50% rebate up to $2,000 for reducing or removing irrigation systems and replacing turf with Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Work must be done by qualified SWAP Shop landscapers.
One of the few Florida programs offering direct turf replacement. Program may have evolved; contact Water Resources (352-264-6800) to confirm current availability before applying.
Landscape Transformation Program
JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority)
Rebates for landscape modifications that reduce turf and implement Florida-Friendly plants with irrigation system upgrades. Free irrigation assessments available.
Contact JEA for current rebate amounts and application process.
Gulf Coast
5 programs available
Hillsborough FLIP (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program)
Hillsborough County
Rebate for converting up to 500 square feet of irrigated turf to Florida-Friendly plants with microirrigation. Requires completing three workshops.
Outdoor Water Conservation Rebates
Manatee County Utilities
50% rebate for irrigation system repair/replacement (up to $1,500), landscape retrofit (up to $1,500), irrigation well (up to $2,500), rain shut-off ($150 or $500 for soil moisture sensors), reclaimed water connection ($1,000), or alternative water source ($1,000).
Pinellas FLIP (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program)
Pinellas County
50% rebate up to $2,000 to replace irrigated landscape with water-conserving microirrigation and Florida-Friendly plants. Limited to specific watersheds.
Currently not accepting applications. Contact Pinellas County for current program status.
RainCheck Rebate Program
Sarasota County
Rebates for rain gardens ($500), downspout planter boxes ($1,000), impervious surface replacement, and custom best practices site plans (up to $5,000). Up to two projects per property.
Launched January 2025 in response to hurricane season flooding. Focuses on stormwater management and water quality.
Rainwater Rebate Program
City of St. Petersburg
Rebates for rain gardens ($100), rain totes ($100), and rain barrels ($50). Stormwater utility customers must attend a free Rainwater Guardian Workshop; may receive free rain barrel upon completion.
South Florida
1 program available
Turf Replacement Program
City of Stuart
$1 per square foot to remove irrigated turf, up to 1,500 square feet. Minimum 1,000 sq ft. Replacement must use permeable materials (rock, bark, pavers, drought-tolerant plants). Concrete and artificial turf do not qualify.
One of the few Florida programs with direct per-square-foot turf replacement. Rebate mailed ~4 weeks after final inspection.
Also check locally
These programs may offer rebates; contact your local utility for current details and eligibility:
- Polk County Utilities: toilet, smart controller, rain sensor, landscaping conversion
- City of Lakeland: conservation rebates (savewater@lakelandgov.net)
- Polk Regional Water Cooperative: member cities (Auburndale, Lakeland, Lake Wales, etc.)
- Village of Pinecrest: Florida-Friendly Yards rebates
Frequently asked questions
Does Florida offer turf replacement rebates like California or Texas?
What is Florida-Friendly Landscaping?
Can my HOA prevent me from using native plants in Florida?
When is the best time to plant native plants in Florida?
Are rain gardens eligible for rebates in Florida?
Rebates in other states
Get started
Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports rebate applications.
