Lawn replacement · California

PCWA Lawn Replacement Rebate

Run by Placer County Water Agency (PCWA)

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$3.00 per sq ft of converted lawn, up to $3,000 per residential meter (up to 1,000 sq ft)
Maximum
$3,000 per household
Who qualifies
Residential (and commercial) customers with a metered treated water account in good standing in the PCWA service area. Lawn must be currently irrigated and maintained with an operating sprinkler system (evidence of previous lawn required; dirt/weed areas not eligible). One lawn rebate per meter. Not retroactive.
Where
Metered treated-water customers of Placer County Water Agency.
Status
Open. First-come, first-served until grant funding ends; page lists as current (accessed 2026-10-17)
Type of payment
Bill credit
Official program page

What you do

Replace a irrigated, maintained lawn with water-efficient plants (at least 50% plant cover at maturity), mulch and drip irrigation, after PCWA approves your photos.

Requirements

  • Minimum 300 sq ft converted (smaller allowed only if 100% of the property's lawn is removed)
  • Submit 5 pre-conversion photos before removing any lawn; do not start until PCWA approves
  • Plants must be very low to moderate water use (Water Smart Plant List for the Sacramento Region); no invasive plants; potted plants and existing tree canopy do not count toward cover
  • At least 50% plant cover when mature
  • Minimum 2 inches of mulch on all planting areas; any weed barrier must be permeable
  • No artificial turf and no impermeable hardscape in the rebated area; permeable hardscape allowed but 50% plant rule still applies
  • Existing lawn sprinklers removed, capped or converted to drip (2.0 gph per emitter or less); micro-sprays and bubblers not eligible; partial conversion needs its own valve
  • Conversion completed by October 31, 2026
  • Keep the area in compliance for 5 years after the rebate or PCWA may charge back the rebate
  • Labor is not covered; DIY allowed
  • Photos must be unedited, in color, with house/street reference and address visible, and one showing the irrigation running

The plan or design it asks for

No drawn plan; after approval PCWA emails a plant coverage worksheet and lawn replacement checklist. The completed plant coverage worksheet (plants vs 50% mature coverage) is due with the post-conversion application.

Native plant lists for the area: Rocklin

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 PCWA's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Submit the online Lawn Replacement application at pcwa.net with 5 pre-conversion photos
  2. 2PCWA does a virtual pre-site inspection and verifies square footage; you get an email with the checklist and plant coverage worksheet
  3. 3Once approved, remove the lawn and install the project per the terms
  4. 4Submit the post-conversion application with 5 post photos, the completed plant coverage worksheet and checklist, and irrigation receipts or itemized invoices
  5. 5PCWA does a virtual post-inspection (possible onsite check); the rebate is applied as a credit on your treated water bill

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of lawn converted and the $3,000 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

Not published

Conversions must be completed by October 31, 2026

Combining it with other programs

PCWA Irrigation Efficiencies and Smart Controller rebates are separate programs; Be Water Smart regional info lists them together

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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