Lawn replacement · Arizona

City of Mesa Grass-to-Xeriscape and Tree Bonus Incentive

Run by City of Mesa Water Conservation

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
500-999 sq ft $1,000; 1,000-1,499 $1,500; 1,500+ $2,000; Tree Bonus adds $50 for 1 tree or $100 for 2 trees (max $2,100)
Maximum
$2,100 per household
Who qualifies
Mesa single-family residential water customers; grass must be at least 70% healthy living coverage (dormant Bermuda counts, weeds do not); future projects only.
Where
Single-family residential water customers of the City of Mesa.
Status
Open. Funding limited, first-come first-served.
Type of payment
Cash incentive
Official program page

What you do

Replace at least 500 sq ft of living grass with low-water xeriscape reaching 50% plant canopy coverage; optionally add 1-2 qualifying trees for a bonus.

Requirements

  • 50% low-water-use plant canopy coverage in conversion area
  • Plants from ADWR Phoenix AMA Low Water Use list
  • Tree Bonus: trees on ADWR list, at least 1 gallon, over 2 ft tall, planted in ground, bonus only with approved conversion, one bonus per property per 3 years up to 2 trees; high-water trees (citrus, ash, ficus) ineligible
  • No work before approval email
  • Complete within 6 months of notice to proceed
  • Before photos and aerial inspection; re-inspection after completion
  • W-9 required

The plan or design it asks for

Plant list using Plant Square Footage Calculator showing 50% canopy coverage

Native plant lists for the area: Mesa

Make the plan in Sow

Draw the layout and build the plant list

Sow places plants on a photo of your yard and keeps a list of everything you add. Check City of Mesa's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Read eligibility requirements on the program page
  2. 2Complete the online application with current photos and plant list
  3. 3Wait for approval email (notice to proceed)
  4. 4Convert within 6 months
  5. 5Email signed W-9 and completion photos to [email protected] for re-inspection and payment

Timing and deadlines

6 months to complete; 60 days (or remaining time) to fix a failed initial inspection; payment timing not published

6 months from notice to proceed

Sources

Last checked October 17, 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

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

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