Rebate Reservation 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.
  • Check with your local city or water agency, or verify participation by visiting estimate my 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 property is less than 250 square feet, all 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 as 1 plant towards this requirement. Newly installed trees that meet the tree rebate conditions count as 3 plants towards this requirement. Please visit http://calscape.org/ for native plant lists specific to your area.Include at least three plants per 100 square feet in the project area.
  • Please note that turf, turf-looking grasses, or invasive plants/trees do not qualify even if they are drought-tolerant or California natives. You can view a list of invasive plants at this website http://www.cal-ipc.org/solutions/prevention/landscaping/dpp/?region=socal
  • 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. Please 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/concrete. A typical approved filler 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.
    • 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.
  • Mulch, rock or decomposed granite must cover any other bare spaces within the project area (no bare soil allowed). The use of organic material is recommended.
  • 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.
  • Rebate co-funding is limited, and is allocated based on availability. Your rebate amount may be less than what was reserved/pre-approved if you allow your application to be canceled or you do not meet all of the program guidelines.
  • Consumers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, codes, policies, covenants, conditions and restrictions.

To claim a tree rebate the following conditions must be met:

  • Project must meet all requirements and conditions of the turf replacement program
  • Trees purchased and installed must be a minimum of 15 gallons
  • Installed trees must not be from one of the excluded categories:
    • Invasive tree species listed on Cal-IPC
    • Hedges
    • Trees without spreading canopies (i.e. Italian cypress)
    • Palm trees
    • Fruit trees (commercial properties only)
  • Fruit trees are eligible for a rebate(s) for residential projects only
  • Applicant must submit proof of purchase and installation of an eligible tree species. Eligible documentation of proof of purchase and installation includes but is not limited to scans or photos of nursery receipts or invoices which detail the species and size of tree, along with photos of the installed tree within the turf replacement project area.
  • The maximum tree rebate per turf replacement application is 5 trees ($500)

Additional Terms of Participation

In addition to the above conditions, customers are directed to note the following terms of participation in the SoCal Water$mart Rebate Program:

  1. By applying for a rebate in this program, personal information listed on your application may be subject to disclosure to requesting parties pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
  2. Rebate amounts may vary by water agency and are subject to change at any time.
  3. Renters may be eligible to participate with written consent of the property owner. Renter’s name must be on the property water bill.
  4. The owner of the property or water account holder must remain constant from the time of application through the verification of project completion. Metropolitan reserves the right to withhold incentive payments when a transfer or sale of the re-landscaped property occurs prior to the verification and approval of completion of the project.
  5. The Turf Replacement Program is designed to be a permanent change to your landscaping. A project may be selected for an on-site inspection at any time. If the turf replacement cannot be verified and measured, the applicant will be required to refund the rebate amount, including all associated processing costs. Access to the area transformed must be provided for inspection.
  6. Rebate applications must be complete and are subject to verification and review for accuracy, including all necessary documentation. Necessary documentation includes, but is not limited to, pre- and post-project photos, a landscape plan, and a copy of the water bill. The water bill provided must show the account number, account holder’s name, and water service for the property listed on the application.
  7. Metropolitan and participating water agencies are not responsible for any taxes, fees or tariffs that may be imposed as a result of a device or product purchase.
  8. Metropolitan and participating water agencies make no representation or warranty relating to services, products or devices, including any hazardous substances that may be contained in the product or device. The application form for a rebate is for rebate measures and purchases only.
  9. Applicant waives and releases Metropolitan, participating agencies, and their contractors or agents from any and all claims and causes of action arising out of the installation and use of services, products and devices pursuant to the Turf Replacement Rebate Program.
  10. A reduced water bill is not guaranteed.
  11. Your email address may be used to communicate additional available rebates or programs.
  12. Turf Replacement rebates are limited to a maximum rebate amount per address per year.
  13. Rebate checks issued will become void 90 days after being issued.
  14. By participating in this program, customers allow Metropolitan to publicize their pre- and post-conversion project photographs. (Address will not be published)
  15. Deceptive applications are subject to inspections at any time and will be denied if proven inaccurate and/or untrue.
  16. A pre-approval is solely an estimate and does not guarantee a rebate. Rebate amounts are subject to change upon verification or inspection.
  17. The payee’s Social Security or Tax ID number must be provided via a completed Form W-9 along with the rebate application paperwork in order to receive a rebate over $600.The name on the W-9 must match the name on the rebate check. SoCal Water$mart will pay rebates to the entity listed on the W9, and will modify the application to reflect the change in payee. This form must be completed so that EGIA, the rebate administrator, can properly complete the Form 1099. This is in compliance with exemptions to the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, 42 UCS 405 (c )(2)(c ). The Internal Revenue Service requires Rebate Program participants receiving $600 or more in rebates to receive an IRS Form 1099 unless exemptions apply. The state of California does not have this requirement at this time for turf rebates. Social Security numbers provided as part of the application process are held in confidence under terms of the Privacy Act and are not divulged or otherwise conveyed to individuals or organizations outside the Rebate Program.
  18. By participating in the SoCalWater$mart Rebate Program, you authorize the release of your water consumption history from your water provider.