Rio Rancho Xeriscape Rebate 2026 | $1 per sq ft Real Grass Removal

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Rio Rancho, New Mexico Water Rebates

The City of Rio Rancho pays a water bill credit of $1 per square foot of real grass turf removed and replaced with xeriscape. You have to call the Water Conservation Office for pre-approval before starting, and at least 250 square feet of real grass has to still be in place when they inspect. Artificial turf is not eligible.

$1 / sq ft of real grass · Verified July 2026

Xeriscape Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

Call the Water Conservation Office at 505-896-8715 or 505-896-8737 for pre-approval before starting
Pass the pre-approval inspection with at least 250 sq ft of real grass still in place
Remove the real grass turf and install xeriscape
Submit your application and receipts within the program deadline
Receive the $1 per sq ft credit on your water bill

What you'll need

City of Rio Rancho water account number
Pre-approval confirmation from the Water Conservation Office
Before photos showing the real grass in place
After photos of the completed xeriscape
Itemized receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Rio Grande Valley natives for the Albuquerque metro, designs an HOA-friendly xeriscape layout that replaces the real grass, and assembles your before-photo and receipt packet for the Water Conservation Office.

Avoid these mistakes

Don't start before pre-approval. The Water Conservation Office has to inspect with at least 250 sq ft of real grass still in place, so removing it first disqualifies the project.
Don't install artificial turf. Synthetic turf is not eligible for the credit.
Don't apply on a yard that is already xeriscaped. Pre-existing low-water-use landscapes do not qualify (City of Rio Rancho Outdoor Rebates, verified June 2026).

Rio Rancho Water Rebate FAQs

How much does Rio Rancho pay to remove grass?

$1 per square foot of real grass turf removed and replaced with xeriscape, paid as a credit on your water bill (City of Rio Rancho Outdoor Rebates, verified June 2026).

Do I need pre-approval before removing my grass?

Yes. The Water Conservation Office has to pre-approve the project, and at least 250 square feet of real grass turf has to still be in place during the pre-approval inspection.

Does artificial turf qualify?

No. Artificial turf is not eligible. The credit is for replacing real grass turf with xeriscape using living, low-water-use plants.

Can I apply if my yard is already low-water?

No. Pre-existing low-water-use landscapes do not qualify. There has to be at least 250 square feet of real grass in place at pre-approval.

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.