Turf Conversion Rebate Application

The Turf Conversion Rebate is for the City of Sacramento Department of Utilities water customers to replace existing turf (grass) with a water wise landscape. If you have an automated irrigation system for your planned conversion area, it must be replaced with a irrigation system controlled by EPA WaterSense Labeled Smart Irrigation Controller(s).

Rebate is NOT retroactive. Projects underway or completed prior to pre-inspection are not eligible.

Important: This is where DOU will mail the final rebate check

To be eligible, you must:

1. Be receiving City of Sacramento water service at the property;
2. Be the property owner or bill-paying tenant with written consent from the property owner;

Rebate Amounts:

• Maximum Turf conversion rebate of $3,000 at $1.50 per square of grass converted on the front, back and side yard. The amount you receive is corelated to the amount of turf replaced.
• Seperately, up to $800 for materials used to convert to drip irrigation for side or back yard, and adding EPA WaterSense Labeled Smart Irrigation Controllers.
• If removing paved surfaces or planting on bare dirt, receive a rebate up to $0.50 per square foot for a maximum of $3,000. Minimum of 250 sq.ft. conversion is required to be eligible.
• Labor costs by a licensed General Contractor or landscaping contractor (C-27) of up to $500 may be included as a reimbursable expense.

Rebate Amounts:

• Maximum Turf conversion rebate of $50,000 at $1 per square for landscape retrofit project, including turf conversion and irrigation upgrade with smart controllers.
• Labor costs by a licensed General Contractor or landscaping contractor (C-27) of up to $500 may be included as a reimbursable expense, labor reimbursement is subject to available grant funding.

Rebate Amounts:

• Maximum Turf conversion rebate of $50,000 at $1 per square for landscape retrofit project, including turf conversion and irrigation upgrade with smart controllers.
• Labor costs by a licensed General Contractor or landscaping contractor (C-27) of up to $500 may be included as a reimbursable expense, labor reimbursement is subject to available grant funding.

Rebate Amounts:

• Maximum Turf conversion rebate of $50,000 at $1 per square for landscape retrofit project, including turf conversion and irrigation upgrade with smart controllers.
• Labor costs by a licensed General Contractor or landscaping contractor (C-27) of up to $500 may be included as a reimbursable expense, labor reimbursement is subject to available grant funding.

Rebate Amounts:

• Maximum Turf conversion rebate of $50,000 at $1 per square for landscape retrofit project, including turf conversion and irrigation upgrade with smart controllers.
• Labor costs by a licensed General Contractor or landscaping contractor (C-27) of up to $500 may be included as a reimbursable expense, labor reimbursement is subject to available grant funding.

Rebate Amounts:

• Maximum Turf conversion rebate of $50,000 at $1 per square for landscape retrofit project, including turf conversion and irrigation upgrade with smart controllers.
• Labor costs by a licensed General Contractor or landscaping contractor (C-27) of up to $500 may be included as a reimbursable expense, labor reimbursement is subject to available grant funding.

Landscape Requirements:

• Each converted area must include non-invasive River Friendly plants, such as drought tolerant groundcovers, shrubs and trees, as approved by the City. New landscape plans must contain at least 60% plant coverage upon plant maturity.
• Tree canopy and plants outside the converted area are not considered in the calculation even if they are adjacent to or overhanging the converted area. If existing trees are located within the converted area, you will receive credit for no more than one quarter (1/4) of the total mature tree canopy towards the living 60 percent plant coverage requirement (if low or medium water use tree). In addition, each distinct area separated by a driveway or sidewalk will be considered separately with regard to the canopy coverage requirement.
• For distinct areas greater than 250 square feet, the converted area must include a minimum of 5 plants.
• Any design elements that are not plant material, such as planters, rocks, mulch or similar element must be integrated as part of the converted area's landscape.
• Pathways may be installed but must be permeable in order to count toward the canopy coverage requirement. Mulch may be organic or inorganic, must be spread 2"-5" beneath trees and shrubs and shall be 6" or less in diameter.
• Ineligible items include but are not limited to the following: soil amendments, and tools purchased to complete the project.

Design Assistance Program

Please submit the Design Assistance Program Application. For more details click here.

Photo Submission Guidelines

Important: Please submit online form for Plant Coverage Worksheet

Document sample for Landscape Plan Sketch

Turf Conversion Rebate Terms & Conditions.

Turf Conversion Rebate Terms & Conditions.

Turf Conversion Rebate Terms & Conditions.

Turf Conversion Rebate Terms & Conditions.

Turf Conversion Rebate Terms & Conditions.

Turf Conversion Rebate Terms & Conditions.

Photo/Video Release (Optional)

I hereby grant to the City of Sacramento the absolute and irrevocable right and unrestricted permission to use, re‐use, display, distribute, transmit, publish, re‐publish, copy, or otherwise exploit, either in whole or in part, either digitally, in print, or in any other medium now or hereafter known, for any purpose whatsoever and without restriction, photographs or video taken of me, my residence or my property; to alter the same without restriction; and to copyright the same. I understand and agree that the City may or may not use my name in conjunction with such use as the City chooses.

I hereby release and discharge the City, and its officials, employees, agents, representatives, and assignees from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of any such photographs and video including without limitation any and all claims for invasion of privacy, right of publicity, and defamation.

I represent that I am over the age of eighteen (18) years and that I have read the foregoing and fully understand its contents.

This release shall be binding upon me, my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.

This agreement is being made and entered into under the laws of the State of California and shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of California. This release embodies the entire agreement of the parties (subject and photographer).

Steps to proceed

1. Submit a completed Turf Conversion application. Include photos of existing turf, plant coverage worksheet and landscape plan. If choosing to hire a listed landscape designer, submit the plant coverage worksheet and sketch of your landscape after consultation.
2. Wait for approval from water Conservation staff. Please note that missing information may cause delay.
3. Schedule the pre-inspection before beginning your project.
4. Complete your landscape conversion project and submit receipts and a photo within the 120 days following project approval.
5. Post inspection from Water Conservation staff-After we receive your itemized receipts, they will be reviewed and verified by Water Conservation Staff. Following receipt review, you will be subject to a post-completion inspection (you will be contacted to confirm the appointment).
6. Receive a rebate check-You should receive your rebate check within eight weeks of you post-inspection appointment and approval. 

Rebate Agreement - Release of Liability

The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities (City) may deny any application that does not meet all of the Program requirements, which are set forth in the Program Terms and Conditions. The City reserves the right to alter the Program Terms and Conditions at any time, with no notice other than posting the Program requirements on the City website. The applicant agrees to allow the City to inspect the property before and after the landscaping project is undertaken, to measure the lawn area to be replaced and to confirm that the project meets the Program Terms and Conditions. The applicant certifies that the attached photos are of the landscape project installation site, accurately show the site’s current condition, and are not altered or modified. The City does not warrant or guarantee that the applicant will experience lower water bills as a result of participating in the Program. The City is not responsible for any damage that may occur to participant’s property as a result of the Program. The applicant agrees to indemnify the City, and its directors, officers, and employees, and to hold each of them harmless from and against all loss, damage, expense and liability resulting from or otherwise relating to his or her participation in the Program. By typing your name and electronic signature you agree to the terms and conditions of the program.