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California Water Rebates

Sacramento, California Water Rebates

The City of Sacramento Utilities department pays $1.50 per square foot to replace grass with drought-tolerant or native plants, up to $3,000 for residential customers (and up to $50,000 for commercial). The program leans on a preferred plant list of 830+ varieties, including 300+ California natives, and you have to get pre-approval before you start any work.

$1.50 / sq ft, up to $3,000

Grass Conversion Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

  1. Confirm you are a City of Sacramento Utilities water customer
  2. Apply and get pre-approval before starting any work
  3. Choose at least 5 plants from the preferred plant list reaching 60% coverage at maturity
  4. Remove the grass, install drip irrigation with a WaterSense controller, plant, and add 2 to 5 inches of mulch
  5. Submit your after photos and receipts to receive $1.50 per sq ft, up to $3,000 residential

What you'll need

  • City of Sacramento Utilities water account number
  • Before photos of the existing grass
  • Pre-approval confirmation
  • Plant list from the preferred plant list
  • After photos and itemized receipts

Pollinator Patch can help: It picks Sacramento-appropriate Central Valley natives from the preferred plant list, designs an HOA-friendly layout that meets the 5-plant and 60% coverage rules, and assembles your before-photo and plant-list packet.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Don't start work before pre-approval. It is required and starting early can disqualify the project.
  • Don't drop below 5 plants or 60% coverage at maturity, and don't skip the 2 to 5 inches of mulch.
  • Don't confuse this with the Sacramento County (SCWA) Cash for Grass program. This rebate is for City of Sacramento Utilities customers only.

Sacramento Water Rebate FAQs

How much does Sacramento pay to remove grass?
$1.50 per square foot to replace grass with drought-tolerant or native plants, up to $3,000 for residential customers and up to $50,000 for commercial (City of Sacramento Utilities, verified June 2026).
Can I start before I get pre-approval?
No. You have to be a City of Sacramento Utilities water customer and get pre-approval before starting any work.
What does the new landscape have to include?
At least 5 plants reaching 60% coverage at maturity, drip irrigation with a WaterSense smart controller (or hand watering), and 2 to 5 inches of organic or inorganic mulch.
Is this the same as the Sacramento County Cash for Grass program?
No. This is the City of Sacramento Utilities grass conversion rebate. The Sacramento County Water Agency runs a separate Cash for Grass program for its own customers.

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Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.

Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.

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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.

We compile these programs from utility and city pages, and not every amount here has been independently confirmed. Program details also change throughout the year. Always verify requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with your water utility before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.