Lawn replacement · California

City of Santa Barbara Sustainable Lawn Replacement Rebate

Run by City of Santa Barbara Water Resources

OpenLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$2.00 per sq ft of lawn replaced; lawn to rain garden adds $3.00 per sq ft of rain garden retention area for up to $5.00 per sq ft total
Maximum
$1,500 per household
Who qualifies
City of Santa Barbara water customers, single-family and 1-4 unit residential ($1,500 cap; rain garden combined up to $5,000). Lawn must be living or golden with irrigation history.
Where
City of Santa Barbara water customers with single-family and 1-4 unit residential properties.
Status
Open
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Remove living lawn, convert sprinklers to drip or remove them, plant water-wise plants with 3 inches of mulch.

Requirements

  • Project approved in advance; do not start before Application Appointment
  • Sprinklers converted to drip or eliminated
  • 3 water-wise plants minimum per 100 sq ft; 3 inches mulch
  • No more than 25% of rebated area permeable flagstone or gravel
  • No artificial turf, patio, deck, DG or other hardscape
  • Projects needing a building permit not eligible
  • Must result in net reduction in landscape water use
  • Reimbursement request within 120 days of Authorization to Proceed

How to apply

  1. 1Fill out the Eligibility Request Form with photos of lawn
  2. 2Staff contact you; attend the Application Appointment (site visit, measurement, application)
  3. 3Receive dated Authorization to Proceed
  4. 4Complete project within 120 days
  5. 5Submit Reimbursement Request with 3-5 photos and copy of application

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of lawn replaced and the $1,500 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

Rebates processed in 4-6 weeks

120 days from Authorization to Proceed

Combining it with other programs

Mulch delivery rebate, smart timer rebate, stormwater rebates; drip retrofit rebate cannot be combined

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 See something out of date?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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