BAWSCA Lawn Be Gone! — $1–$4/Sq Ft for Peninsula California

How to Apply

1. 1

   Check which water agency serves your address

   BAWSCA covers San Mateo County Peninsula cities and ACWD in Alameda County (Fremont, Newark, Union City). Santa Clara County residents are not eligible and should visit valleywater.org. Use the dropdown at bawsca.dropletportal.com to confirm your agency.

   Check your agency on the BAWSCA portal
2. 2

   Download the BAWSCA Approved Plant List

   Download the current Approved Plant List (updated January 2025). All plants replacing lawn must come from this list, or receive prior agency approval. Choose at least enough species to cover 50% of the converted area at maturity.

   BAWSCA Approved Plant List (Excel)
3. 3

   Submit your application online — before removing any lawn

   Create an account at bawsca.dropletportal.com using your water account number. Submit the application with a project plan that includes your proposed plant list confirming at least 50% plant cover at maturity, plus photos of the current lawn.

   Apply at BAWSCA Droplet Portal
4. 4

   Complete the Pre-Conversion Site Inspection

   Your water agency will review your application and conduct a pre-conversion inspection — usually virtual via photos. Do not remove any turf until this is done. Once your project is approved, you will receive a Notice to Proceed letter.

5. 5

   Remove lawn and complete the conversion within 4 months

   You have 4 months from the Notice to Proceed to finish the project. Remove turf, install 3+ inches of mulch on all bare soil, plant from the Approved Plant List, and convert or remove existing sprinklers. Keep all receipts for plants and irrigation equipment (labor and equipment rental are not reimbursable).

6. 6

   Schedule the Post-Conversion Inspection and receive your rebate

   Notify your agency that the conversion is complete and schedule a post-conversion inspection. Bring your final plant list and receipts. If the project passes, the rebate is issued as a check or water bill credit. Processing can take up to 10 weeks.

Which cities are covered and at what rate?

BAWSCA's service area is San Mateo County Peninsula plus ACWD in Alameda County (Fremont, Newark, Union City). The program is NOT available to Santa Clara County residents — those cities (Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara) should visit valleywater.org for Valley Water's separate turf rebate. East Bay MUD customers (Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond) have their own rebate at /rebates/california/east-bay.

• Mid-Peninsula Water District and North Coast County Water District (Pacifica): $4/sqft
• Menlo Park: $3/sqft
• Burlingame, Millbrae, Redwood City, San Bruno, ACWD: $2/sqft
• Brisbane, Hillsborough: $1/sqft
• Foster City / EMID: $4/sqft (no rain garden bonus)
• ACWD residential maximum: $3,000 per account
• Hillsborough and North Coast County maximum: $2,500 per account

What does the replacement planting need to look like?

At least 50% of the converted area must be covered with living plants at maturity (from the BAWSCA Approved Plant List). Up to 50% can be permeable hardscape such as gravel or flagstone with permeable grout. Impermeable surfaces (concrete, impermeable pavers) and artificial turf are not eligible. Existing lawn must be actively irrigated and healthy at time of application — the program does not rebate already-dead grass. All existing sprinklers must be removed, capped, or converted to low-volume drip.

• 50%+ living plants at maturity, from the BAWSCA Approved Plant List
• Remaining up to 50%: permeable hardscape only (gravel, flagstone with permeable grout)
• No artificial turf, no impermeable concrete or pavers
• Minimum 3 inches of biodegradable mulch on all planting areas
• Existing lawn must be actively irrigated and alive at time of application
• All sprinklers removed, capped, or converted to drip
• New drip irrigation must include backflow prevention, pressure regulator, and filter

Why pre-approval matters

BAWSCA's Terms and Conditions are explicit: any lawn removed before receiving a Notice to Proceed is ineligible for reimbursement. This applies even if you submit the application first — you must wait for the formal Notice to Proceed letter before touching the turf. The site inspection before removal is typically done virtually via photos, not an in-person visit, which speeds up the process. Build in at least a few weeks between application and starting work.