Lawn replacement · California

Carmichael Water District Turf Replacement Incentive

Run by Carmichael Water District

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$2.00 per sq ft of converted turf, max $4,000 per residential property (single-family, condo, 5 units or fewer)
Maximum
$4,000 per household
Who qualifies
Property owner of record (or authorized rep) with water supplied solely by CWD and account in good standing; lawn must be maintained and irrigated by a working sprinkler system (evidence of previous lawn required).
Where
Property owners supplied solely by Carmichael Water District; single-family, condo or 5 units or fewer.
Status
Open. First-come first-served while funds last; page lists no end date.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Replace maintained, irrigated lawn with low-water plants, mulch and drip irrigation after district approval.

Requirements

  • At least 300 sq ft of turf (smaller allowed only if 100% of lawn removed)
  • Approval before any work; not retroactive
  • Five pre-conversion photos taken to program specs, plus five post-conversion photos
  • At least 50% plant cover at maturity; potted plants do not count
  • Low water use, drought-tolerant or California native plants; no invasive plants
  • At least one tree (existing or new) in the converted landscape
  • No concrete or impermeable surfaces; permeable hardscape ok
  • 3 inch minimum mulch layer
  • No artificial grass
  • Sprinklers removed, capped or converted to drip (max 2.0 gph per emitter; no micro-sprays or bubblers); hand watering allowed; separate valve for remaining lawn
  • Start within 30 days of approval and finish within 90 days
  • Labor not reimbursed
  • Federal W-9 required

The plan or design it asks for

Application needs a plant coverage worksheet and a turf landscape plan (sketch or diagram of the conversion area with measurements) before approval.

Native plant lists for the area: Carmichael

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 Carmichael Water District's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Submit the online application at carmichaelwd.org with sq ft, plant coverage worksheet, landscape plan sketch and five pre-conversion photos (call or visit the office if no computer)
  2. 2Accept the Terms and Conditions
  3. 3District reviews photos in a virtual or in-person pre-inspection and emails instructions if eligible
  4. 4After approval and funding confirmation, remove turf and install within the time limits
  5. 5Email post-conversion photos (5), completed worksheets and W-9 to [email protected] with the address in the subject
  6. 6District does a post-conversion inspection and pays rebate

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

Not published

Start within 30 days and finish within 90 days of approval

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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