Skip to main content
Home/Rebates/California/Los Angeles

California Water Rebates

Los Angeles, California Water Rebates

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) pays $5 per square foot for residential customers who replace qualifying turf with drought-tolerant plants or permeable materials. Projects must be between 250 and 5,000 square feet. The maximum residential rebate is $25,000. Customers must apply and receive pre-approval before removing any turf. LADWP also offers free landscape design workshops to help plan the conversion.

Common steps for every program in this guide

  1. Apply online at ladwp.com and receive pre-approval before starting. Submit the turf replacement rebate application at ladwp.com. LADWP will review the application and issue pre-approval. Do not remove any turf before you have written pre-approval — projects started before approval are ineligible.
  2. Attend a free LADWP landscape design workshop (optional but recommended). LADWP offers free workshops covering drought-tolerant plant selection, soil preparation, irrigation system conversion, and design principles for Southern California conditions. Check the LADWP website for upcoming workshop dates.
  3. Complete the turf removal and drought-tolerant landscaping installation. After receiving written pre-approval, remove the qualifying turf and install the approved drought-tolerant replacement. Keep all receipts and photograph the completed project.
  4. Submit post-installation documentation to receive the rebate. Submit the completion documentation — after photographs and receipts — to LADWP to trigger the rebate payment. LADWP will verify the project meets the replacement requirements before processing the $5/sq ft payment, up to $25,000.

Full application guide for Los Angeles: required documents and how to avoid rejection

Rebates available

Los Angeles Water Rebate FAQs

Does artificial turf qualify for the LADWP rebate?
No. LADWP does not allow artificial turf as the replacement material. Replacement must be drought-tolerant living plants, mulch, decomposed granite, or permeable paving.
Can I stack the LADWP rebate with the SoCal WaterSmart rebate?
Potentially yes. The SoCal WaterSmart program offers a base $2 per square foot rebate that may be available in addition to the LADWP rebate for qualifying LADWP customers. Contact LADWP or visit bewaterwise.com to confirm current stacking eligibility for your specific project.
What is the minimum project size?
The minimum qualifying turf area for the LADWP residential rebate is 250 square feet. Projects below 250 square feet do not qualify.
Is there a commercial turf replacement rebate?
Yes. LADWP offers commercial customers $9 to $10 per square foot for turf replacement, which is a higher rate than the residential program. Commercial customers should contact LADWP directly for the current commercial rate schedule and eligibility requirements.

We're considering this

Want help applying for one of these rebates?

We're considering a guided concierge service that walks you through the paperwork for your local rebate. Tell us if you'd use it.

Get started

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.

See a problem with a program? Report it

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.