How to Get the Lawn Conversion Rebate Program
City of Hayward · Alameda County, CA
What you get
Pays $0.75 per square foot for front yards and areas visible to the public, $0.50 per square foot for backyards, plus an additional $0.25 per square foot for sheet mulching, with a 300 square foot minimum and a maximum of $1,000 for a single-family home ($5,000 for commercial, multi-family and HOA properties). Pre-conversion site inspection and a Notice to Proceed are required, and rebates are paid by check. The program runs until June 30, 2027 or until funds last (City of Hayward; last verified October 2026).
- Residential: $0.75/sq ft front, $0.50/sq ft back, +$0.25/sq ft sheet-mulch, up to $1,000 (min 300 sq ft)
Are you eligible?
- Be a City of Hayward customer
- Property located in: Hayward
- City of Hayward water customer
- Minimum 300 sq ft converted
Before you start
Do not remove turf or begin work before you have written approval. This program requires pre-approval. Starting early can disqualify the project even if everything else is correct.
The application checklist
How to apply for the Lawn Conversion Rebate Program
These are the steps this application actually takes.
- 1
Check eligibility
Make sure you qualify with City of Hayward before you start.
- 2
Get pre-approval if required
Some programs require approval before any work begins. Check with City of Hayward and take before photos of the existing yard first.
- 3
Do the work
Complete the project, take before and after photos, and save every receipt.
- 4
Submit your application
Send City of Hayward the completed application with your photos and receipts, then watch for the confirmation.
Get help applying
Want a hand with the application?
A 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder. He reads the Lawn Conversion Rebate Program rules with you, tells you what to photograph and file first, and answers anything this page does not cover.
Confirm your project ZIP first. If this program does not serve your address, do not buy; check your city or utility on the rebates page instead.
One-time $29.99. Guidance, not filing: you submit to the program yourself. Not legal or financial advice. Rebate amounts and approval are decided by the program.
Every program listed cites its official source, and each program page shows the date we last verified it against that source. Program details change throughout the year, so always confirm requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with the program before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.
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.
What people report after they apply
We ask people who filed Lawn Conversion Rebate Program whether it was approved, what they were paid, and how many days it took. A public payout time appears here only after 5 reports include a day count. Your dollar amount is stored and is not published on this page.