California

Irrigation rebates in California

56 programs in California pay residents for irrigation upgrades. 47 list themselves as open now, and the per-square-foot programs pay a median of $0.78 per square foot. 2% ask for a plan, sketch or plant list before they approve a project.

These programs cover part or all of the cost of a weather-based or soil-moisture controller, a drip conversion, rotary nozzles or a rain sensor. Most require a WaterSense-labeled product and a receipt, and some send a technician to install it for free.

56 programs

Open
City of Santa Monica Spray to Drip Rebate
City of Santa Monica Water Resources (Public Works)
$2.00 per sq ft up to $4,000 for single-family homes; multi-family/commercial $2.00 per sq ft up to $6,000 per metered account, plus an additional $1.00 per sq ft up to $10,000 total (per the Sept 2022 program guide linked from the official page)
Up to $4,000 per household
Open
SCV Water Drip, Nozzle and Pressure Regulation Incentives
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water)
Drip irrigation $1 per sq ft of converted spray area (not above actual project cost; annual cap $2,500 per residential customer per the Aug 2026 packet); high-efficiency nozzle up to $12 each; master pressure regulator 80% of price (1 per meter); pressure regulating valve 80% of price; pressure regulating body with check valve up to $10 each.
Up to $2,500 per household
Open
CVWD Residential Rotary Nozzle Rebate
Coachella Valley Water District
$4 per nozzle, up to $2,000
Up to $2,000 per household
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
OpenPlan required
City of Modesto Drip Irrigation Rebate
City of Modesto Water Conservation
$0.50 per sq ft converted; max $1,000 per account per fiscal year; cannot exceed product cost
Up to $1,000 per household
Open
City of Sacramento Irrigation Upgrade and Smart Controller Rebate
City of Sacramento Department of Utilities
Single-family/duplex: up to $400 materials for drip/high-efficiency upgrade plus up to $400 for smart controller; up to $150 C-27 licensed contractor labor reimbursable (total up to $800 per city outdoor rebate summary)
Up to $800 per household
Open
Goleta Water District Smart Landscape Rebate
Goleta Water District
50% of cost of design (max $250), drip/sprinkler retrofits, rotating nozzles, water-wise plants and mulch, smart controller, permeable surfaces, laundry-to-landscape graywater parts; pool cover 50% up to $300; total up to $750 per single-family meter
Up to $750 per household
Open
Montecito Water District Drip and Smart Controller Rebates
Montecito Water District (administered by CalWEP)
Drip conversion $450 per property; smart controller $300 single-family
Up to $750 per household
Open
DWA Nozzles and Irrigation Heads Rebate
Desert Water Agency
up to $5 per nozzle or bubbler plus up to $2 each professionally installed; up to 100 nozzles or 1 per 100 sq ft; (home page says up to $7 per nozzle)
Up to $700 per household
Open
City of Folsom Irrigation Efficiency Upgrade Rebate
City of Folsom Utilities Department
50% of qualifying material cost, up to $500
Up to $500 per household
Open
PCWA Irrigation Efficiencies Rebate
Placer County Water Agency (PCWA)
Up to $500 per residential meter (parts only; labor not included)
Up to $500 per household
Open
San Juan Water District Weather-Based Irrigation Controller Rebate
San Juan Water District
50% of cost, up to $500 residential
Up to $500 per household
Open
City of Santa Barbara Irrigation Efficiency Rebates
City of Santa Barbara Water Resources
Drip retrofit 50% of materials up to $100; nozzles $2 each up to $50; smart timer 50% up to $100; laundry-to-landscape graywater 50% of materials up to $100
Up to $350 per household
Open
SCV Water Smart Controller and Soil Sensor Rebate
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency (SCV Water)
Smart irrigation controller up to $350 ($250 first controller, $100 second), or the device cost if less. Soil moisture sensor listed on the official residential page at the same wording (up to $350); sensor-specific terms were not seen on a separate page. Applications processed on or after August 18, 2026 are subject to updated amounts.
Up to $350 per household
Open
City of Santa Rosa Irrigation Efficiency Rebate
City of Santa Rosa Water (Water-Use Efficiency)
Up to $300 per residential account for life of account (materials only, not labor)
Up to $300 per household
Open
City of South Pasadena Drip Irrigation Conversion Rebate
City of South Pasadena Public Works, Sustainability Division
Up to $300 per household
Up to $300 per household
Open
SCWA Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate
Solano County Water Agency (SCWA)
50% of controller cost, up to $300 for a residential site
Up to $300 per household
Open
DWA Smart Controller Rebate
Desert Water Agency
single-family: up to $150 for controller plus up to $100 for professional installation
Up to $250 per household
Open
EID Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate
El Dorado Irrigation District (EID)
Up to $100 for Tier 1 devices including smart irrigation controllers; up to $250 per water service account overall (Tier 2 flow monitors up to $250)
Up to $250 per household
Open
PCWA Smart Controller Rebate
Placer County Water Agency (PCWA)
Up to $250 residential, not more than the price paid; installation not included
Up to $250 per household
Open
LADWP Flow/Leak Detection Device Rebate
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (via SoCal Water$mart)
Up to $150
Up to $150 per household
Open
West Sacramento Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate
City of West Sacramento Community Development (Sustainability)
$150
Up to $150 per household
Open
Marin Water Irrigation Efficiency Offers
Marin Municipal Water District (Marin Water)
WaterSense controller rebate up to $100; Rachio 3 controller $69.99 (8-zone) or $109.99 (16-zone); nozzles about $1.18-$3.56 each; Spray-to-Drip Retrofit Kit $166 for up to 400 sq ft
Up to $100 per household
Open
SoCal Water$mart Flow Monitor Device Pilot Rebate
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (SoCal Water$mart)
Base incentive of $100 per qualifying flow monitor device; may be higher by agency
Up to $100 per household
Open
SoCal Water$mart Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (SoCal Water$mart)
$80 per controller for landscapes under 1 acre; $35 per station for landscapes over 1 acre (base Metropolitan amounts; many agencies add more, e.g., South Pasadena $250 and Palmdale $150)
Up to $80 per household
Open
City of Modesto Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate
City of Modesto Water Conservation
Up to $75 per account (not more than controller cost)
Up to $75 per household
Open
ACWD Irrigation and Rain Barrel Rebates
Alameda County Water District (ACWD)
Controller up to $110.25 ($100 plus tax); nozzles up to $5; spray bodies with pressure regulation up to $10; large rotors up to $30; rain barrel $50
Open
BAWSCA Irrigation Hardware Rebates
Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA)
Up to $5 per nozzle, $10 per pressure-regulating spray body, $30 per large rotor
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
Burbank Smart Controller, Nozzle and Rain Barrel Rebates
Burbank Water and Power (with Metropolitan Water District)
Rain barrels from $35 each; cisterns $250-$350 each; rotating sprinkler nozzles from $5 each (minimum 30 nozzles) per the BWP rebates page. Weather-based controller: SoCal Water$mart lists a base of $80 per controller (under 1 acre) or $35 per station (over 1 acre); the BWP top-up amount was not found on an official page.
Open
CHWD Free Smart Irrigation Controller Program
Citrus Heights Water District
One free B-Hyve smart controller with installation per service connection
Open
CVWD Free Smart Irrigation Controller Installation
Coachella Valley Water District
free installed controller
Open
EID Free Landscape Water Survey, Hose Nozzles and Moisture Meters
El Dorado Irrigation District (EID)
Free survey, free hose shut-off nozzle and moisture meter
Open
Elk Grove Water District Free Soil Moisture Meter and Irrigation Audit
Elk Grove Water District
Free soil moisture meter (one per household) and free water use audit
Open
Golden State Water Discounted Rachio Controller (Central Basin East)
Golden State Water Company (with CalWEP)
Rachio R3 8-zone $69.99 plus tax; 16-zone $89.99 plus tax (up to a $249+ value)
Open
Golden State Water Discounted Rachio Weather-Based Controller
Golden State Water Company with the California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP)
Rachio R3 8-zone $69.99 plus tax; 16-zone $89.99 plus tax (stated as up to a $249+ value)
Open
GWP Smart Home Outdoor Water Rebates
Glendale Water and Power
Outdoor water items on the official GWP page (amounts effective 11/1/2025): weather-based controller $150 per controller under 1 acre, or $50 per station over 1 acre; hose bib controller $50 per station; rotating nozzle $4 each (minimum 15); rain barrel $35 each (50-199 gal, limit 2); cistern up to $350 (200+ gal, limit 1 per address); soil moisture sensor system $100 per controller plus $50 per station; turf replacement listed at $3 per sq ft. Appliance and energy rebates are also on the page.
Open
IRWD Residential Spray-to-Drip Rebate
MWDOC with Irvine Ranch Water District
not published on the program page (see Terms and Conditions)
Open
LA County Waterworks Smart Controller and Rotary Nozzle Rebates
Los Angeles County Public Works, Waterworks Districts
not published on the county page (see application form)
Open
LADWP Residential Irrigation Device Rebates
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (via SoCal Water$mart)
Controller up to $200 each (under 1 acre) or $35 per station (1+ acres); soil moisture system up to $200 per unit or $35 per station; rotating nozzles up to $6 each; smart hose bib controller up to $35
Open
MPWMD Irrigation Rebates (Controllers, Sensors, Nozzles)
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District
Controller $100 for up to 4 stations plus $10 per added station up to 20; soil moisture sensor $25 each; rotating nozzles $4 each (minimum 10)
Open
Palmdale Water District Irrigation Device Rebates
Palmdale Water District
Weather-based controller $150; rotating nozzle $4 each; micro-irrigation $0.25 per linear foot (min 1,000 ft); moisture-retaining soil additive $40 per bag
Open
SoCal Water$mart Rotating Sprinkler Nozzle Rebate
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (SoCal Water$mart)
Starts at $2 per nozzle; amounts vary by agency
Open
SoCal Water$mart Soil Moisture Sensor System Rebate
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (SoCal Water$mart)
Starts at $80 per controller and $35 per station; amounts vary by agency and funding (LADWP lists up to $200 per unit, up to $35 per station)
Open
STPUD Discounted Rachio Smart Irrigation Controller
South Tahoe Public Utility District
Discounted controller (amount not published); up to $25 extra off during 2026 promo weeks May 4-11, June 8-15, July 6-13
Open
Valley Water Water Wise Outdoor Survey
Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water)
Free outdoor irrigation survey and written report; free DIY indoor survey kit on request
Open
Ventura Water Free Irrigation Retrofits
Ventura Water (City of Ventura)
free with professional installation
Limited funds
San Diego County Waterscape Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate
County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program (Waterscape Rebate Program)
Up to $60 per station for landscapes over 1 acre (County page); the per-controller amount for smaller landscapes is not in the page text, but Otay Water District's official page lists $80 per controller or $60 per station. The County's own supplemental amount ($25 per weather-based controller station) is paused (see status). Rebates cannot exceed the purchase price.
Status not posted
LVMWD Irrigation Retrofit Program (Free Upgrades)
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
Up to $1,500 of irrigation upgrades per qualifying household, paid by the district
Up to $1,500 per household
Status not posted
NMWD Landscape Efficiency, Smart Controller and Pool Removal Rebates
North Marin Water District (NMWD)
Landscape efficiency 50% of cost up to $200; smart controller $30 per active station up to $1,500 (not above purchase price); pool removal $1.00 per sq ft up to $1,000
Up to $1,500 per household
Status not posted
City of Fresno Irrigation Upgrade Rebates
City of Fresno Public Utilities (Water Conservation Program)
Drip: $0.55 per sq ft up to 1,000 sq ft (max $550). Nozzles: up to $4.50 each, minimum 6, max $100. Smart controller: up to $105 (once per account). Rain sensor: up to $55 (once per account).
Up to $550 per household
Status not posted
Casitas MWD Weather-Based Irrigation Controller Rebate
Casitas Municipal Water District
Up to $250 toward the controller and sensor (not more than the receipt)
Up to $250 per household
Status not posted
Town of Windsor Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller Rebate
Town of Windsor with Rachio
$100 bill credit from the Town plus a $30 Rachio discount
Up to $100 per household
Status not posted
IEUA Residential Irrigation System Enhancement Program
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
no-cost evaluation, repairs and retrofits; possible free weather-based controller
Status not posted
Soquel Creek Irrigation Efficiency Rebates
Soquel Creek Water District
Drip: up to $20 per 100 sq ft, max $1,000 per fiscal year. Controller: $75 sensor-type or $125 signal-type. Rain sensor: up to $25 (adjustable to 1/8 inch).
Waitlist
Zone 7 Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate
Zone 7 Water Agency
50% of cost up to $125 (residential)
Up to $125 per household

Other California programs

Irrigation rebates in every state

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 the project before you apply

Sow lays out your new planting on a photo of your yard and builds the plant list from plants suited to where you live.

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