Lawn replacement · California

Cal Am Sacramento Turf Exchange Rebate

Run by California American Water (Sacramento District)

Status not postedPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$2.00 per sq ft converted, max $4,000 per single-family residence; not more than materials cost
Maximum
$4,000 per household
Who qualifies
Cal Am Sacramento metered customers in good standing whose bills show higher warm-season than cool-season usage; maintained lawn (75% turf, max 20% weeds, max 5% bare); dead lawns ineligible.
Where
California American Water metered customers in the Sacramento service area, including parts of Sacramento and West Placer counties.
Status
Status not posted. The official page doesn't say whether it's taking applications.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program pageSome details here could not be confirmed on an official page. Check them there first.

What you do

Replace maintained lawn with low and medium water-use plants, drip irrigation and mulch after a pre-conversion review.

Requirements

  • Pre-conversion site review and Water Wise House Call survey before any removal; provide a site plan
  • At least 300 sq ft (smaller only if removing entire front or back lawn)
  • At least 50% living plant cover at maturity with low/medium water-use or native plants; no invasive plants
  • No artificial turf
  • Drip with pressure regulator, filter, shutoff valve, emitters under 2.0 gph; no micro-spray
  • 3 to 4 inches of mulch; permeable surfaces only
  • Complete within 120 days of pre-inspection
  • Materials only, no labor; plants must be in the ground
  • Maintain for 5 years or refund may be required

The plan or design it asks for

A site plan must be given to the Conservation Specialist at the pre-conversion site review, before removal.

Native plant lists for the area: Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights

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 California American Water's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Contact Cal Am Sacramento conservation (1-916-568-4201) to schedule a pre-conversion review and Water Wise House Call
  2. 2Provide site plan at the review and get approval before removing lawn
  3. 3Do the conversion within 120 days
  4. 4Submit the Turf Exchange Rebate application with itemized invoice or receipts and request post-inspection
  5. 5Rebate paid 6 to 8 weeks after final inspection

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of turf converted and the $4,000 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

Payment 6 to 8 weeks after final inspection

not published

Combining it with other programs

not published

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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