California
Yard rebates in Berkeley
12 programs can pay Berkeley residents for yard projects: 7 run by the city, the county or the utilities and districts that serve it, and 1 open to anyone in California. The largest, DFSC Defensible Space Fuel Reduction Cost Share, pays up to $3,500 per household. 1 ask for a plan or plant list before they approve a project.
Utility programs only apply to that utility’s customers, so check who supplies your water and power.
Berkeley's own programs
Run by the city or by a utility or district that serves it.
- Open
EBMUD Efficient Irrigation Rebates
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
Smart controller 50% of cost up to $200; flow sensor 50% up to $250; spray-to-drip up to $0.25 per sq ft; nozzles up to $4 each; pressure regulator 50% up to $125 (one per property)
Up to $2,000 per household
- Open
EBMUD Lawn Conversion Rebate (Standard and Super)
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
Standard $1.00 per sq ft; Super $2.00 per sq ft
Up to $2,000 per household
- OpenPlan required
EBMUD Landscape Design Assistance Program Rebate
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
$200 reimbursement of the $200 designer fee
Up to $200 per household
- Open
EBMUD Graywater Laundry-to-Landscape Rebate
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
Up to $100 for brass three-way diverter, air admittance/anti-siphon valve and PVC line (actual cost if less)
Up to $100 per household
- Open
EBMUD Treebate Pilot Rebate
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
Up to $100 per tree; 1 tree for single-family and 2-4 unit properties
Up to $100 per household
- Open
StopWaste Free Compost Hubs
StopWaste (Alameda County Waste Management Authority) with host cities and farms
Free compost, no per-visit limit published
Alameda County programs
Open to residents anywhere in the county.
- Paused
BAAQMD Lawn and Garden Equipment Exchange Program
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
not published (page lists no amounts)
May apply
These cover only part of the county. Check that your address or utility is in the service area.
- Open
BAWSCA Rachio 3 Smart Irrigation Controller Discount
Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA)
Rachio 3 for $169.99 plus tax (MSRP $199.99 8-zone, $224.99 16-zone); a second page of BAWSCA states $100 plus tax, so the price conflicts
- Open
EBMUD Mulch and Compost Coupons (Magic Mulch)
EBMUD with Contra Costa Water District
Discount on mulch and compost; amount not published (EBMUD's rebate page calls them free coupons)
- Paused
DFSC Defensible Space Fuel Reduction Cost Share
Diablo Fire Safe Council (DFSC)
Up to $3,500 per project
Up to $3,500 per household
- Paused
BAAQMD Wildfire Prevention Chipping Program
Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)
Free chipping service (Davey Tree Expert Company)
Anywhere in California
- Open
California State Income Tax Exclusion for Turf Rebates
State of California (Franchise Tax Board; Revenue and Taxation Code section 17138.2)
Full exclusion of the rebate, voucher or other financial incentive from California taxable income
Sow is not affiliated with any of these agencies or utilities. Amounts and rules change, often at the start of a fiscal year, so confirm the details on the official page before you start a project. How we research these programs
Plan your Berkeley yard project in Sow
Lay out the new planting on a photo of your yard with plants native to the area, and keep the plant list ready for the application.