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Glendale, Arizona Water Conservation Rebates (2025 Guide)

The City of Glendale Water Services Department pays $1.00 per square foot (up to $3,000) to residential customers who convert at least 500 square feet of live, irrigated lawn to xeriscape. Unlike most Arizona programs, no pre-approval is required — complete the project first, then submit an application online through the city's ArcGIS Survey123 form with before-and-after photos and receipts. Funding is first-come, first-served and renews each fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). If your Glendale address is in the Loop 303 corridor served by EPCOR rather than City of Glendale water, a separate EPCOR xeriscape program applies.

How to Apply for Glendale Water Rebates

  1. 1

    Confirm your address is served by City of Glendale water

    Check your water bill to confirm the City of Glendale is your water provider. Addresses in the Loop 303 / West Valley area may be served by EPCOR instead; those customers use the EPCOR xeriscape program, not this one. Your account must be in good standing with no outstanding balance.

  2. 2

    Complete the xeriscape conversion

    Remove at least 500 sq ft of live, irrigated grass. Replace it with xeriscape: drought-tolerant plants (at least 75% from the ADWR Phoenix AMA Low Water Use list), at least one drought-tolerant tree, and permeable ground cover. Bare soil does not qualify as a finished state. If you are in an HOA, confirm the new landscape complies with your CC&Rs before starting.

  3. 3

    Gather documentation

    Collect everything required for the application: (1) a clear photo of the grass before conversion, (2) a clear photo of the completed xeriscape after installation, (3) an itemized contractor receipt showing company name, date of service, and line-item costs (grass removal, plants, crushed rock, etc.), and (4) a completed W-9 form.

    You'll need:

    • Before photo of the grass
    • After photo of the completed xeriscape
    • Itemized contractor receipt with company name, date, and line items
    • Completed W-9 form (Social Security Number or TIN required)
  4. 4

    Submit the online application

    Use the City of Glendale ArcGIS Survey123 application form. Applications are accepted first-come, first-served. City staff will measure the converted area digitally to determine the exact rebate amount; a field inspection may follow.

    Open Glendale application form
  5. 5

    Mail your completed W-9 to the Conservation division

    Mail the W-9 separately to: City of Glendale Conservation and Sustainable Living, ATTN: Joanne Toms, 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale, AZ 85302. The W-9 must be received before the rebate check can be issued.

    You'll need:

    • Completed, signed W-9 form
  6. 6

    Receive your rebate check

    A check is mailed to the address on your water account approximately 40 days after a complete application is received. A 1099 tax form will follow in the next tax season if the rebate is reportable income.

Questions? Contact the City of Glendale Conservation division at greenliving@glendaleaz.com or 623-930-3596. Program terms were last verified May 2026 at glendaleaz.gov.

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Rebate Summary

Rebate ProgramAmountType
City of Glendale Xeriscape Rebate (Water Services Dept.)$1/sq ft, max $3,000Residential

City of Glendale pays $1.00/sq ft (max $3,000) for live lawn converted to xeriscape. Min 500 sq ft, no pre-approval — complete the project first, then apply online. Funding is first-come, first-served. Grass converted before Jan 1, 2023 is ineligible.

City of Glendale Xeriscape Rebate: $1/sq ft, up to $3,000

The City of Glendale Water Services Department reimburses residential customers $1.00 per square foot for converting a minimum of 500 square feet of live, irrigated lawn to xeriscape, up to a maximum of $3,000 per application. The grass must have been healthy and actively irrigated — brown or dormant-beyond-recovery lawns do not qualify. Replacement landscaping must include at least one drought-tolerant tree, and at least 75% of new plants must appear on the Arizona Department of Water Resources' Phoenix Active Management Area Low Water Use/Drought-Tolerant Plant List. The rebate may not exceed the actual cost of the project. A W-9 form is required, and the city will issue a 1099 if the rebate is taxable. City staff measure the converted area using ArcGIS to determine the final rebate amount; a post-inspection may be required.

  • Active City of Glendale water service account at the project address (not EPCOR)
  • Minimum 500 square feet of live, irrigated grass converted
  • Grass converted before January 1, 2023 is ineligible
  • At least 75% of new plants must be on the ADWR Phoenix AMA Low Water Use/Drought-Tolerant Plant List
  • At least one drought-tolerant tree must be present in the converted area
  • Bare soil is not an acceptable final state
  • Account must be in good standing (no outstanding balance)
  • Maximum two rebates per property (e.g., front and back yard separately)
  • One rebate application per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30)
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Glendale Water Rebate FAQs

Do I need pre-approval before removing my lawn?
No. The City of Glendale program is a post-completion rebate — you complete the project first, then apply. There is no "submit before you start" requirement. This differs from EPCOR's program, which does require pre-approval. Just make sure your grass was live and irrigated before removal; dead or dormant lawns do not qualify.
What if I have EPCOR water service, not City of Glendale?
If your Glendale address is served by EPCOR (typically in the Loop 303 / West Valley corridor), the City of Glendale program does not apply. EPCOR offers its own xeriscape rebate at $3.00/sqft, but as of early 2026 the EPCOR program was temporarily paused for new applicants. Check epcor.com for the current status.
What plants count for the 75% requirement?
At least 75% of new plants must appear on the Arizona Department of Water Resources' Phoenix Active Management Area Low Water Use/Drought-Tolerant Plant List, available at azwater.gov. Common qualifying plants include desert willow, palo verde, brittlebush, agave, and most native desert perennials.
Can I get a rebate for artificial turf?
Yes, but at a lower rate: $0.25 per square foot, maximum $250, for replacing lawn with artificial grass. The xeriscape rate ($1.00/sqft, max $3,000) applies only to conversions using living drought-tolerant plants.
Is the rebate taxable?
The city issues a 1099 in the following tax season. Whether the rebate is taxable income depends on your individual tax situation. Consult a tax advisor if you have questions.

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