How to Get the Hillsborough FLIP (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program)
Hillsborough County · Gulf Coast, FL
What you get
Rebate for converting up to 500 square feet of irrigated turf to Florida-Friendly plants with microirrigation, after completing a mandatory three-workshop series ($10 each) that includes landscape evaluation and design approval. The Tampa Water Department joined as a partner in February 2026, so both Hillsborough County Utilities and City of Tampa water customers qualify (county program page + Tampa.gov release, last verified June 2026).
- Residential: Reimbursement for qualified expenses (3 workshops; up to 500 sq ft)
Are you eligible?
- Be a Hillsborough County customer
- Property located in: Tampa, Hillsborough County
- Must be within Hillsborough County
- Complete three mandatory workshops
- Install approved landscape design
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.
What applying usually looks like
A general guide. Always confirm the exact steps on the official program page, since each provider runs its process a little differently.
- 1
Apply and get written approval first
Submit your application to Hillsborough County and wait for written approval before you remove any turf or start work. Starting early is the most common reason a rebate is denied.
- 2
Do the conversion
Replace your lawn with the qualifying landscaping, following the eligibility requirements above.
- 3
Submit your claim
After the work is done, submit your claim on the official program page. Confirm the exact forms, receipts, and any photos they require there, since those vary by program.
The application checklist
How to apply for the Hillsborough FLIP (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program)
These are the steps this application actually takes. The Pollinator Patch app walks you through each one free, with reminders and a photo locker.
- 1
Confirm Eligibility and Register for All Three Workshops
You must be a Hillsborough County Utilities or City of Tampa Water customer irrigating lawn with drinking water; the conversion target is up to 500 sq ft. Register once for all three Saturday workshop
- 2
Complete the Workshop Series
Workshop 1 covers microirrigation and choosing the conversion area. Workshop 2 covers landscape design basics, where you draft your Florida-Friendly design; application guidance and landscape evaluati
- 3
Install the Approved Design
Convert up to 500 sq ft of irrigated turf to your approved Florida-Friendly design with microirrigation. Keep dated, itemized receipts for every qualified expense (plants, microirrigation parts, soil,
- 4
Apply for the Rebate
After completing the three workshops and installing the approved design, apply for the FLIP rebate for qualified expenses, submitting your itemized receipts. The current reimbursement cap is not publi
In the app
Track this rebate free in the Pollinator Patch app
Free step-by-step guidance for the Hillsborough FLIP (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Incentive Program), warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos, receipts, and notes together for the months a rebate takes.
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.