How to Get the Waterscape Rebate Program
County of San Diego + SoCal Water$mart · Southern California, CA
What you get
County Waterscape enhancement for residents of the unincorporated county (customers of districts like Helix, Otay, Padre Dam, Sweetwater, Vallecitos): enhanced per-square-foot rates plus a $1/sq ft bonus for California native plants, on residential projects up to 5,000 sq ft. City of San Diego residents qualify for the base SoCal Water$mart rebate of $2.00/sq ft through the same portal, without the county enhancement (County of San Diego watershed rebates + SoCal Water$mart pages, last verified June 2026).
- Residential: Up to $5/sq ft with native plants
Are you eligible?
- Be a County of San Diego + SoCal Water$mart customer
- Property located in: San Diego
- Unincorporated-county water district customer for the enhanced rates; City of San Diego customers get the base SoCal Water$mart rebate
- Apply and receive approval before starting; turf must be in place (living or dormant) at application
- Two before photos showing the turf and adjacent pavement
- Project must include a stormwater retention feature and at least 3 plants per 100 sq ft
- Complete within 180 days of the funds reservation; synthetic turf not eligible
Before you start
Do not remove turf or begin work before you have written approval. This program requires pre-approval. Starting early can disqualify the project even if everything else is correct.
Full San Diego guide
San Diego has a complete rebate guide with every local program, qualifying plants, and a step-by-step application walkthrough.
San Diego water rebates: full guideThe application checklist
How to apply for the Waterscape Rebate Program
These are the steps this application actually takes.
- 1
Check Your Rate and Photograph the Turf
Your address determines the offer: customers of the unincorporated-county water districts (Helix, Otay, Padre Dam, Sweetwater, Vallecitos, and others) get the enhanced county Waterscape rates plus the
- 2
Reserve Your Rebate Before Any Work
Submit the pre-project reservation at the SoCal Water$mart turf portal with your water bill, before photos, and landscape sketch. This reserves the funds for your address. Unincorporated-county reside
- 3
Complete the Project Within 180 Days
Finish within 180 days of the funds reservation. The design must include at least 3 plants per 100 sq ft transformed, a stormwater retention feature (rain garden, swale, or rain barrel), only permeabl
- 4
Submit After Photos and Get Paid
Upload the after photos and final project details through the same portal. A pre- or post-inspection may be required at the program’s discretion. The rebate is paid after the post-project review.
The call below also unlocks the ready-to-file packet for this program in the app.
Get help applying
Want a hand with the application?
A 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder. He reads the Waterscape 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.