Lawn replacement · California

City of Sacramento Grass Conversion Rebate

Run by City of Sacramento Department of Utilities

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$2.50 per sq ft (limited-time increased rate); single-family max $5,000; up to $200 more for front yard design help
Maximum
$5,000 per household
Who qualifies
City of Sacramento water customers (single-family/duplex; property owner or tenant with owner consent per city terms). Multi-family 3+ units and commercial have separate cap of $50,000.
Where
City of Sacramento Department of Utilities water customers.
Status
Open. Increased rate for applications submitted Sept 1, 2026 through Feb 28, 2027; while funds last.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Replace lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping with drip or hand watering, after city approval.

Requirements

  • Approval from city staff BEFORE starting; completed projects not eligible
  • Noninvasive very low to low water use plants (groundcovers, shrubs, trees)
  • At least 60% plant coverage at maturity
  • Minimum of five plants
  • Drip irrigation with EPA WaterSense smart controller, or no irrigation if hand watered
  • Mulch 2 to 5 inches deep under trees and shrubs, pieces 6 inches or less in diameter
  • Not reimbursable: artificial grass, labor by non-C27 contractor, tree removal equipment/tools, herbicides, cardboard, soil amendments, borders, boulders, plants in raised beds or containers
  • Submit receipts and photo within 120 days of approval
  • Pre- and post-inspection

The plan or design it asks for

Submit photos of existing turf, a plant coverage worksheet and a landscape plan sketch with the application, before approval.

Native plant lists for the area: Sacramento

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 City of Sacramento's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Submit the grass conversion application (online, or print and mail/email) with photos of existing turf, plant coverage worksheet and landscape plan
  2. 2Wait for approval from water conservation staff
  3. 3Schedule a pre-inspection before starting
  4. 4Complete the project and submit itemized receipts and a photo within 120 days of approval
  5. 5Schedule post-inspection
  6. 6Receive rebate check

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of lawn removed and the $5,000 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

Check usually within 12 weeks of post-inspection approval

Apply by 2027-02-28

Combining it with other programs

Not published on page

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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