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California Water Rebates

Novato, California Water Rebates

North Marin Water District runs its own Cash for Grass rebate for Novato, separate from Marin Water and BAWSCA. It pays up to $1.50 per square foot of lawn converted, with single-family homes capped at $1,500. The step most people miss: all projects must be approved in advance, so you get pre-qualified before you start.

Up to $1.50 / sq ft, up to $1,500

Cash for Grass Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

  1. Call or email the NMWD Water Conservation Office to get pre-qualified
  2. Submit your project details for advance approval, before removing any lawn
  3. Wait for written approval to begin
  4. Convert the lawn to low-water landscaping, with no re-installed irrigated turf and no synthetic turf
  5. Submit photos and receipts to receive up to $1.50 per sq ft

What you'll need

  • NMWD account information
  • Before photos of the existing lawn
  • Advance approval confirmation
  • Plant list or landscape plan
  • After photos and itemized receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Novato-appropriate natives for the North Bay around Marin, designs an HOA-friendly low-water layout that avoids re-installing irrigated turf, and assembles your before-photo and plant-list packet for pre-qualification.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Don't start the project before you are pre-qualified and approved. All projects must be approved in advance.
  • Don't re-install irrigated turf in the project area. The customer agrees not to, as a condition of the rebate.
  • Don't expect synthetic turf, pools, patios, or decks to qualify. They are excluded landscape features.

Novato Water Rebate FAQs

How much does North Marin Water District pay to remove a lawn?
Up to $1.50 per square foot of lawn converted, capped at $1,500 for single-family homes (North Marin Water District, verified June 2026).
Is this the same as the Marin Water rebate?
No. This is North Marin Water District’s own Cash for Grass program for Novato, separate from Marin Water and BAWSCA.
Do I need approval before I start?
Yes. All projects must be approved in advance, so you get pre-qualified before removing any lawn.
Can I re-install irrigated turf later?
No. As a condition of the rebate, the customer agrees not to re-install irrigated turf in the project area. Synthetic turf is also not eligible.

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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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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.