Please carefully review the program requirements and instructional materials for information on how to apply for the Turf Replacement Program.

Rebate Eligibility

  • To receive a reservation for a Turf Replacement rebate, you must have existing turf. If your project has already been started or completed, you are not eligible for a rebate. Effective August 19, 2021, turf that is dead or dying from lack of irrigation due to the current drought will qualify for a rebate. Bare dirt does not qualify for a rebate.
  • All Turf Replacement projects must be within the Metropolitan Water District’s service area in order to qualify for rebate.
  • Before you begin your project or remove any turf, you must apply for and receive an approval to proceed, which is a reservation of funds.
  • If you begin or complete your project prior to receiving a reservation, you are not eligible for a rebate.
  • The project area eligible for a rebate is defined as the area with existing turf to be removed and where the required program features will be installed. Plants and other required elements which are installed outside of the project area will not count towards the program requirements.

To Claim a Rebate (if all of the above conditions have been met), your completed project must:

  • Have a minimum of 250 square feet of turf removed, or if the entire site has less than 250 square feet of turf grass, all present turf must be removed.
  • Not include any live turf, or turf-looking grasses.
  • Include at least three plants per 100 square feet in the project area. Existing trees that remain in the project area count towards this requirement. Please visit http://calscape.org/ for native plant lists specific to your area.
  • Be permeable to air and water to reduce surface area runoff. Areas with concrete, structures or other surfaces that air and water cannot move through will be disqualified.
    • Note: Turf areas replaced with structures or any impermeable surfaces will not be eligible for a rebate.  Exclude these turf areas from your measurements to avoid program disqualification and processing delays. Some examples of built structures include: raised patios, decks and garages.
    • Pathways with broken concrete (spaced concrete), flagstone or other like materials may be used, but cannot be grouted with cement or concrete.  Approved filler typically used for these materials is loose sand.
  • Include a stormwater feature designed to capture rainfall through infiltration or on-site storage for reuse. Eligible techniques include: rain gardens, rock gardens, dry river beds, swales, berms, rain barrels and cisterns. Please visit the Sustainable Approach page for more information.
  • In order for the rain barrel/cistern to qualify as a rainwater capture feature, the property must have existing gutters around the full perimeter of the roof and existing downspouts for adequate water collection. In the case of a partially flat roof, gutters and downspouts must be throughout all pitched areas in order to qualify.
  • Installed rain barrels/cisterns must meet all local and regional requirements and be connected properly to installed rain gutters and downspouts. Rain barrels/cisterns must be installed in, and drain to, the project area.
  • A three-inch-deep ring of mulch must surround all plants. Acceptable forms of organic mulch include shredded bark, bark nuggets or wood chips. Organic mulch should not be placed around any plants installed in the bottom or sides of a vegetated swale. Therefore, the vegetated swale area is exempt from this requirement. Projects within a CalFire designated Very High Fire Severity Zone may use inorganic mulch such as rock or decomposed granite in place of organic mulch.
  • No bare soil is allowed. The use of organic materials is recommended as a groundcover for any bare spaces within the project area. Mulch or another permeable hardscape must cover any other bare spaces within project area.
  • Include irrigation modification or conversion; this is required for all projects:
    • Convert over-head sprays to drip, micro-spray, bubblers, or rotating nozzles; whichever is applicable; or
    • Cap sprinkler heads or remove irrigation equipment and hand-water
    • No overhead spray sprinklers are allowed in the completed project
  • No synthetic turf is allowed
  • Consumers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, codes, policies, covenants, conditions and restrictions.