San Diego, California Water Conservation Rebates (2025 Guide)

How to Apply for San Diego Water Rebates

1. 1

   Estimate your rebate using the SoCal WaterSmart address lookup

   Before applying, use the bewaterwise.com address lookup to confirm your water agency, verify the current rebate rates for your specific utility, and estimate the total rebate for your project size.

   SoCal WaterSmart rebate estimator
2. 2

   Apply at bewaterwise.com and receive pre-approval before starting

   Submit the turf replacement application through the SoCal WaterSmart portal. Include your water account number, project square footage, and replacement plan. Do not remove any turf before receiving written pre-approval — work started before approval is ineligible.

   You'll need:

   • Water utility account number
   • Property address
   • Estimated square footage of turf to replace
   • Proposed plant list or replacement materials
   • Before photographs of existing turf
3. 3

   Complete the turf removal and install drought-tolerant landscaping

   After pre-approval, remove qualifying turf and install the approved drought-tolerant replacement. If using California native plants for the County bonus, ensure your plant selections are on the approved County list.

   You'll need:

   • Receipts for plants, mulch, and materials
   • After photographs of the completed installation
4. 4

   Submit completion documentation and receive payment

   Submit after photographs and receipts to SoCal WaterSmart through the application portal. The rebate payment is calculated at $3/sq ft (SoCal WaterSmart $2 + SDCWA $1) for eligible SDCWA-served properties. If claiming the native plant bonus, submit to the County of San Diego separately.

   San Diego County rebates and incentives

How the San Diego Rebate Layers Stack: Up to $3/sq ft + bonuses

The SoCal WaterSmart program (administered through bewaterwise.com) is the primary application point. It pays $2 per square foot for qualifying turf replacement, up to 5,000 square feet per year. The San Diego County Water Authority adds $1 per square foot on top of the SoCal WaterSmart base for SDCWA-served properties, bringing the combined rate to $3 per square foot. The application is submitted once through SoCal WaterSmart — the SDCWA bonus is applied automatically for eligible properties.

• Active water account with an SDCWA member agency
• Minimum project size (varies by agency — typically 250–500 sq ft)
• Pre-conversion approval required before removing turf
• Replace with drought-tolerant plants, mulch, or permeable materials
• No artificial turf as the primary replacement

California Native Plant Bonus: +$1/sq ft, max $2,000

The County of San Diego offers an additional $1 per square foot bonus — up to $2,000 per property — for turf replacement projects that use California native plants in the conversion. This bonus stacks on top of the SoCal WaterSmart plus SDCWA rebates. To qualify, a defined percentage of the replacement area must be planted with California native species approved by the County. Check the San Diego County Watersheds program page for the current native plant list and eligibility details.