For the past several years many local water agencies in California have been trying to incentivize residents to replace their lawns with landscapes that are less water-intensive. Such incentives typically took the form of rebate programs in which residents were paid to switch to landscapes, such as artificial grass, that reduce water usage.
These rebate programs proved exceptionally popular and, as a result, a majority saw their funds quickly exhausted. But the good news is that some California residents still have the opportunity to get paid to install artificial grass as several rebate programs are still funded while others are being funded once again.
Check out this helpful list of agencies in California that are still offering cash for installing artificial grass. If you don’t see your city or agency list, check with your water district as there may be waitlist opportunities.
Anaheim: Anaheim Public Utilities customers are still able to apply for a rebate of $1 per square foot of turf removed up to 1,000 square feet for residents and up to 1,500 square feet for commercial customers. http://www.anaheim.net/1062/Turf-Removal-Program
Atascadero: Upon completion of a qualifying turf conversion, customers will receive $0.25 per square foot of turf removed, up to $500 for single-family homes, or up to $1,000 for multi-family or commercial landscapes. http://www.amwc.us/RebatePrograms.asp
Beverly Hills: Though the rebate funding available from the Metropolitan Water District has been consumed, the City of Beverly Hills still has rebate funds available. You can qualify to receive $1.75 per square foot up to 2,500 square feet. http://www.beverlyhills.org/living/recyclingandconservation/waterconservation/rebates/web.jsp
Capitola: The Soquel Creek Water District will pay customers $1 per square foot to replace existing high-water use turf with synthetic turf. The maximum turf replacement rebates from Soquel Creek Water District are $1,000 per fiscal year (July 1-June 30) for single-family residential customers and $10,000 per fiscal year for commercial and multi-family residential customers. http://www.soquelcreekwater.org/conserving-water/rebates/turf-replacement
Castaic: The Castaic Lake Water Agency is offering $2 per square foot to customers who remove living turf. Projects must be between 500 and 2,500 square feet of living grass to be removed. http://lawnreplacement.clwa.org/
Coachella Valley: The Coachella Valley Water District will pay an incentive of $1 per square foot for living grass that is replaced with artificial turf. The rebate is valid for residential replacement projects up to 2,000 square feet. https://cvwd-rebates.droplet.us/
Highland: The East Valley Water District is offering up to $200 to homeowners who replace their lawn with a more water-efficient landscape. http://www.eastvalley.org/275/Rebate-Program
Indio: The Indio Water Authority is offering a Cash for Grass program. Approved conversions receive $1 per square foot of grass up to $1500 for residential customers and $4000 for commercial projects. http://www.indiowater.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=4313
Irvine: The Municipal Water District of Orange County will pay $2 per square foot to customers in the Irvine Ranch Water District who replace their turf with artificial grass. Residential sites have a lifetime maximum of 3,000 square feet. https://mwdoc.dropletportal.com/
Laguna Niguel: The Municipal Water District of Orange County will pay $2 per square foot to customers in the Moulton Niguel Water District who replace their turf with artificial grass. Residential sites have a lifetime maximum of 3,000 square feet. https://mwdoc.dropletportal.com/
Lake Forest: The Municipal Water District of Orange County will pay $2 per square foot to customers in the El Toro Water District who replace their turf with artificial grass. Residential sites have a lifetime maximum of 3,000 square feet. https://mwdoc.dropletportal.com/
Lompoc: Vandenberg Village residents are eligible for a rebate of up to $2.00 per sq. ft. (max $1,000) to replace turf with artificial grass. http://vvcsd.org/pdf/GrassInterestCard.pdf
Sacramento: The Sacramento County Water Agency is providing a to rebate qualifying residential and commercial customers for converting existing grass with native and drought tolerant landscaping. SCWA residential customers may receive a rebate of $.50/square foot up to a maximum of $1,000 per household or $1.50/square foot up to a maximum of $2,500 for commercial and industrial customers. http://www.waterresources.saccounty.net/scwa/Pages/Cash-for-Grass.aspx
Scotts Valley: The Scotts Valley Water District is offering $1 per square foot to customers who replace natural turf with artificial grass. The district will also allow a state rebate to be combined with this offer. http://www.svwd.org/be-water-efficient/rebates/lawn-replacement-rebate
