Lawn replacement · California

EBMUD Lawn Conversion Rebate (Standard and Super)

Run by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)

OpenLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Standard $1.00 per sq ft; Super $2.00 per sq ft
Maximum
$2,000 per household
Who qualifies
EBMUD potable-water customers (single-family and small multifamily up to 4 units) whose lawn has been irrigated with EBMUD water and actively mowed for at least 3 years, with higher summer than winter water use and green lawn visible in summer satellite imagery.
Where
EBMUD potable-water customers, single-family and small multifamily up to 4 units.
Status
Open. Page shows 2026 requirements; Super Rebate accepted year-round; no end date shown.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Remove a mowed, irrigated lawn and replace it with low-water plants, mulch and drip irrigation (Super tier: sheet mulch in place with mostly California natives).

Requirements

  • Cap of $2,000 per 24-month period for single-family/small multifamily (4 units or less); $15,000 for 5+ units/commercial
  • Do not start work (including lawn removal) before EBMUD approval
  • Remove the lawn
  • Plants must cover 50% of the area at maturity; seeded plants do not count; a tree is recommended
  • Plants must be low water use per WUCOLS; all edibles accepted (Super: edibles must be low water use)
  • At least 3 inches of mulch on planted areas and exposed soil
  • New paths and patios must be permeable
  • Only cardboard or paper under mulch; no landscape fabric or weed cloth
  • Existing sprinklers removed, capped, or replaced with drip or high-efficiency nozzles
  • Drip systems need pressure regulator and filter
  • Plants with different water needs on separate irrigation zones
  • Super tier: sheet mulch in place with no herbicides or chemicals, majority California native plants, plant only September to February
  • Prohibited: artificial turf, sod (including no-mow grass), invasive plants (cal-ipc.org), concrete/mortared/glued paths or patios, landscape fabric, microspray or adjustable emitters/bubblers

How to apply

  1. 1Apply online (Jotform application on the program page) before starting any work
  2. 2Wait for EBMUD approval
  3. 3Complete the project within 9 months of approval
  4. 4Submit the required completion documentation
  5. 5After approval, receive a check within about two months (W-9 needed if rebates reach $2,000 in a tax year)

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of lawn converted (Standard rate; Super is $2.00) and the $2,000 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

9 months to complete after approval; check mailed within 2 months of approval of completion documents

9 months after approval; extensions case-by-case

Combining it with other programs

Can be combined with Treebate Pilot, Landscape Design Assistance and irrigation rebates, subject to the $2,000 per 24-month combined cap

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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