Fresno Lawn to Garden Rebate 2026 | $2 per sq ft Turf Removal

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Fresno, California Water Rebates

The City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities runs an expanded Lawn to Garden rebate that pays $2 per square foot to replace a front lawn with water-efficient plants, up to 1,500 square feet ($3,000 max) for residential customers. The step most people miss: you have to request a free Water-Wise Landscape Consultation and get your project approved before you remove any grass.

$2 / sq ft, up to $3,000 · Verified June 2026

Lawn to Garden Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

Confirm you are a City of Fresno water customer
Request a free Water-Wise Landscape Consultation through the FresGO app or by dialing 3-1-1 within city limits
Wait for your project to be approved before removing any grass
Remove the lawn and install water-efficient plants per the consultation recommendations
Submit your after photos and receipts to receive $2 per sq ft, up to $3,000

What you'll need

City of Fresno water account number
Water-Wise Consultation confirmation
Before photos of the existing lawn
Project approval confirmation
After photos and itemized receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Fresno-appropriate San Joaquin Valley natives, designs an HOA-friendly low-water layout, and assembles your before-photo and plant-list packet so the Water-Wise Consultation and approval go smoothly.

Avoid these mistakes

Don't remove your lawn before the Water-Wise Consultation and project approval. Starting early disqualifies the project.
Don't assume funding is open-ended. The rebate is grant-funded and first-come, first-served, so apply early.
Don't skip the consultation step. It is required, not optional, and it sets the approved plant and irrigation plan.

Fresno Water Rebate FAQs

How much does Fresno pay to remove a lawn?

$2 per square foot to replace a front lawn with water-efficient plants, up to 1,500 square feet, which is a $3,000 maximum for residential customers (City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities, verified June 2026).

Can I remove my lawn first and apply later?

No. You have to request a free Water-Wise Landscape Consultation and get your project approved before you remove any grass. Starting early disqualifies the project.

Is the Fresno rebate first-come, first-served?

Yes. The expanded Lawn to Garden rebate is funded by a state Urban Community Drought Relief grant and runs first-come, first-served, so funds can be exhausted. Apply early.

What is the Water-Wise Consultation?

It is a free service from the Water Conservation Program that recommends water-wise plants, irrigation, and lawn-removal approaches for the Fresno area. It is required before you remove your lawn.

Free step-by-step help with every rebate above

Every program above comes with a free guided checklist in the Pollinator Patch app: the steps in order, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos and receipts together. A few high-value programs also offer an optional ready-to-file application packet for a one-time $29.99.