The City of Modesto offers a landscape rebate program to encourage residents and businesses to replace water-thirsty grass lawns with drought-tolerant alternatives. This initiative helps conserve water while enhancing property aesthetics. Below are the key details of the program.
Program Overview
Participants can receive a rebate of $2 per square foot for converting grass areas into qualifying drought-resistant landscapes. Maximum rebate amounts are:
- Residential Accounts: Up to $3,000 per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
- Commercial Accounts: Up to $6,000 per fiscal year.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Modesto’s landscape rebate, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Water Utility Customers: You must pay your water utility bill to the City of Modesto and have an account in good standing.
- Property Tenants: Tenants must obtain written approval from the property owner or manager.
- Existing Turf: At the time of pre-inspection, the area slated for conversion must have existing grass or traditional sprinklers intact.
Application Process
- Pre-Inspection: Submit an application and schedule a pre-inspection to verify existing conditions.
- Approval and Notice to Proceed: Applicants receive a Notice to Proceed upon approval.
- Project Completion: Applicants have 60 days from the Notice to Proceed date to complete the landscape conversion.
- Post-Inspection: Schedule a post-inspection with the City of Modesto Water Conservation Department after completion.
Important Considerations
- Receipts: An original itemized and dated sales receipt for materials used in the conversion is required during post-inspection.
- Rebate Limitations: The rebate cannot exceed the actual cost of the materials used.
- Compliance: Adherence to all program guidelines is mandatory for rebate eligibility.
Program Deadline
Modesto’s landscape rebate applies to turf replaced between July 1 and June 30 of the current fiscal year. Apply early, as funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details and to apply, visit the City of Modesto’s Turf Replacement Program page.
Other California Landscape Rebates
The following programs are other local rebates that may be in effect, but they might not accept artificial grass as a replacement.
