California Water Rebates
Fresno, California Water Rebates
The City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities runs an expanded Lawn to Garden rebate that currently pays $4 per square foot to replace a front lawn with water-efficient plants, up to 10,000 square feet for residential customers. This is a temporary, grant-funded rate increase from the program's standard $2 per square foot, available only while funds remain and while the City approves projects by December 31, 2026. 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.
$4 / sq ft (temporary rate), up to 10,000 sq ft · Verified September 2026
Lawn to Garden Rebate
Open the official program site (opens in new tab)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 $4 per sq ft, up to 10,000 sq ft, while the temporary grant-funded rate lasts
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.
- Don't wait past December 31, 2026 for project approval. The $4 per sq ft rate is tied to a temporary grant and is scheduled to revert to the standard $2 per sq ft rate after that date or once funds run out.
Fresno Water Rebate FAQs
How much does Fresno pay to remove a lawn?
Can I remove my lawn first and apply later?
Is the Fresno rebate first-come, first-served?
What is the Water-Wise Consultation?
Rebate Concierge
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. Every open program above also offers a 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder, for a one-time $29.99. Open the program to book 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.
