Arizona Water Rebates

Tempe, Arizona Water Rebates

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

The City of Tempe Water Conservation Program pays $0.50 per square foot for converting grass to low-water desert landscaping, up to $2,000 per home per fiscal year. The program is administered directly by the City of Tempe - not SRP (Tempe's wholesale water supplier) and not EPCOR. Pre-approval is required before any grass is removed. A free consultation with a Tempe water conservation specialist is available and recommended before starting. The rebate can be combined with Tempe's Desert Plant Rebate (TreeBate) and high-efficiency irrigation rebates, bringing total potential savings above $2,500.

What the stated caps add up to in Tempe

Turf rebates, stormwater fee credits, tree programs, and federal cost-share are listed separately. A dollar is included in the total only when that program states a cap and is still open. Fee credits stated as a percentage, and USDA programs with no published dollar figure, stay on the list and stay out of the total.

Federal cost-share
Conservation Reserve Program: Pollinator Habitat (CP-42)
USDA FSA
No dollar cap in our directory.
No dollar cap is published for this program in our directory. Left out of the total.
Source, checked 2026-09-30
Federal cost-share
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
USDA NRCS
No dollar cap in our directory.
No dollar cap is published for this program in our directory. Left out of the total.
Source, checked 2026-09-30
Federal cost-share
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
USDA NRCS
No dollar cap in our directory.
No dollar cap is published for this program in our directory. Left out of the total.
Source, checked 2026-09-30

Federal rows are Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Reserve Program: Pollinator Habitat (CP-42), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Payment rates are set by USDA and are not copied here because this directory does not hold a verified dollar figure for them (last reviewed 2026-09-30). Confirm stacking rules with each provider before you apply to more than one.

$0.50/sq ft, up to $2,000

City of Tempe Grass Removal & Conversion Rebate

Open the official program site

How to apply

Schedule a free consultation with a Tempe water conservation specialist. Book a Grass Removal & Conversion Rebate Consultation via the City of Tempe's online booking system. Specialists walk through removal best practices, plant selection guides, and rebate terms. Pre-approval is required - this consultation is part of getting that approval.
Receive written pre-approval before removing any grass. Do not remove any turf until you have written authorization from the City of Tempe. Only future grass removal is eligible - work done before pre-approval is disqualified from the rebate.
Complete the conversion to desert landscaping. Remove the grass and install a desert-adapted landscape. At least 30% of the removed area must be planted with desert-adapted plants (measured at plant maturity). Bare rock or mulch covering the entire area does not meet the program requirement.
Submit the rebate application at waterrebates.com/tempe. Apply online at the City of Tempe's rebate portal. If your total City of Tempe rebates for the calendar year will reach $600 or more, include a completed W-9 form with your application or email it to conservation@tempe.gov.

Full application guide for Tempe: required documents and how to avoid rejection

Tempe Water Rebate FAQs

Is this an SRP rebate or a City of Tempe rebate?

This is a City of Tempe rebate. SRP (Salt River Project) is Tempe's wholesale water and electricity supplier, but the retail water utility is operated directly by the City of Tempe. The Grass Removal & Conversion Rebate is a City of Tempe Water Conservation Program - not an SRP program. You apply through the City of Tempe's portal at waterrebates.com/tempe.

Can I combine this with other Tempe rebates?

Yes. The Grass Removal & Conversion Rebate is stackable with Tempe's Desert Plant Rebate (TreeBate) and the High-Efficiency Irrigation Rebate. Combined savings can exceed $2,500 for a typical project. Each rebate has its own application; apply for each separately at waterrebates.com/tempe.

What plants count for the 30% coverage requirement?

The 30% plant coverage is measured at plant maturity and must use desert-adapted species. A free consultation with a Tempe water conservation specialist can help you select qualifying plants. Common choices include native Sonoran Desert plants such as palo verde, desert willow, agave, and brittlebush. Contact conservation@tempe.gov for a plant guidance list.

What happens if I remove grass before getting pre-approval?

Previously removed grass is ineligible for the rebate. If you remove turf before receiving written pre-approval, that area cannot be included in your rebate application. The program explicitly covers only future grass removal - not past work.

Rebate Concierge

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. Every open program above also offers a 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder, for a one-time $29.99. Open the program to book it.

Browse guided rebates in the app

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Plan a native yard with the Pollinator Patch App.

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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