Turf replacement program still offering up to $100,000 rebate for SoCal residents and businesses

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Metropolitan Water District is providing up to $10,000 rebates to SoCal residents to replace grass with native California plants. Businesses can also get rebates up to $100,000 to remove existing grass and to replace it with organic, drought tolerant landscaping.

New laws

Recently, the California Department of Water Resources presented the district with a check for $38 million to help businesses and institutions comply with a new state ban on using potable drinking water to irrigate non-functional lawns beginning in 2027. The state says this additional funding will help businesses transform turf into more sustainable landscaping.

In addition, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 676, in October, that allows local municipalities to ban residents from installing fake grass as drought-tolerant landscape – it has to be real plants.

Eligibility requirements

Homeowners, renters and business owners who live in the Metropolitan Water District service area – parts of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties are eligible to apply.

Homeowners and renters can apply for a rebate for $2.00 per square foot up to 5,000 square feet of converted yard. Business owners can apply for $2.00 per square foot up to 50,000 square feet of conversion per meter per year.

Synthetic turf is not an approved conversion option for this program.

Every turf replacement project must include:

3 plants per 100 square feet of area transformed;
A stormwater retention feature;
No hardscape – concrete, rocks, bricks, etc., within the transformed area, except permeable hardscape which is concrete that allows rainwater to soak into the ground;
Replacement or modification of overhead spray sprinklers.

In order to receive a rebate, applicants must apply to reserve rebate funds prior to starting the project. After the reservation, applicants will have 180 days to complete the project and submit the request for a rebate.