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California Water Rebates

Coachella Valley, California Water Rebates

The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) pays up to $3 per square foot of turf removed, up to a $30,000 maximum (about 10,000 square feet). It is one of the largest residential turf rebates in California. The two rules that disqualify most people: you have to be pre-approved before any work, and your lawn has to be alive when you apply.

$3 / sq ft, up to $30,000

Lawn Conversion Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

  1. Apply through the CVWD rebate portal while your lawn is still alive
  2. Wait for written pre-approval before doing any work
  3. Remove the turf and install desert-friendly landscaping, planting one tree per 250 sq ft removed
  4. Submit your completed project for inspection and your rebate (up to $3 per sq ft, max $30,000)

What you'll need

  • CVWD account number
  • Photos of the live lawn at application
  • Pre-approval confirmation
  • Landscape and tree plan
  • After photos and receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks desert-adapted natives for the Coachella Valley, plans the required trees, and assembles your live-lawn photos and plant list before you apply.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Don't begin or finish the project before pre-approval. CVWD does not pay retroactive rebates.
  • Don't apply after the lawn is dead or already removed. It has to be green or golden-brown with full thatch when you apply.
  • Don't skip the tree requirement if you want the full $3 per sq ft (one tree per 250 sq ft removed).

Coachella Valley Water Rebate FAQs

How much does CVWD pay for turf removal?
The actual cost, up to $3 per square foot of turf removed, up to a $30,000 maximum (about 10,000 square feet). A 200 square foot minimum applies (CVWD lawn conversion, verified June 2026).
Do I have to plant trees?
To earn the full $3 per square foot, you plant one new native or desert-adapted tree for every 250 square feet of turf removed.
Can I apply after I remove the lawn?
No. The lawn has to be alive (green or golden-brown with full thatch) when you apply, and the project must be pre-approved before any work. There are no retroactive rebates.

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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.