North Marin Cash for Grass Rebate 2026

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Novato, California Water Rebates

North Marin Water District runs its own Cash for Grass rebate for Novato, separate from Marin Water and BAWSCA. It pays up to $1.50 per square foot of lawn converted, with single-family homes capped at $1,500. The step most people miss: all projects must be approved in advance, so you get pre-qualified before you start.

Up to $1.50 / sq ft, up to $1,500 · Verified June 2026

Cash for Grass Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

Call or email the NMWD Water Conservation Office to get pre-qualified
Submit your project details for advance approval, before removing any lawn
Wait for written approval to begin
Convert the lawn to low-water landscaping, with no re-installed irrigated turf and no synthetic turf
Submit photos and receipts to receive up to $1.50 per sq ft

What you'll need

NMWD account information
Before photos of the existing lawn
Advance approval confirmation
Plant list or landscape plan
After photos and itemized receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Novato-appropriate natives for the North Bay around Marin, designs an HOA-friendly low-water layout that avoids re-installing irrigated turf, and assembles your before-photo and plant-list packet for pre-qualification.

Avoid these mistakes

Don't start the project before you are pre-qualified and approved. All projects must be approved in advance.
Don't re-install irrigated turf in the project area. The customer agrees not to, as a condition of the rebate.
Don't expect synthetic turf, pools, patios, or decks to qualify. They are excluded landscape features.

Novato Water Rebate FAQs

How much does North Marin Water District pay to remove a lawn?

Up to $1.50 per square foot of lawn converted, capped at $1,500 for single-family homes (North Marin Water District, verified June 2026).

Is this the same as the Marin Water rebate?

No. This is North Marin Water District’s own Cash for Grass program for Novato, separate from Marin Water and BAWSCA.

Do I need approval before I start?

Yes. All projects must be approved in advance, so you get pre-qualified before removing any lawn.

Can I re-install irrigated turf later?

No. As a condition of the rebate, the customer agrees not to re-install irrigated turf in the project area. Synthetic turf is also not eligible.

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.