Lawn replacement · California

City of Santa Monica Cash for Grass

Run by City of Santa Monica Water Resources (Public Works)

OpenLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$3.50 per sq ft up to $6,000 for single-family
Maximum
$6,000 per household
Who qualifies
Santa Monica water customers with living cool/warm season turf at application; not new construction or major remodel; owner-signed application; area not previously rebated.
Where
City of Santa Monica water customers with living turf.
Status
Open. Per city page ('currently two landscape rebate programs available'); funding status not stated.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Replace living lawn with climate-appropriate plants and permeable mulch, with drip or hand-watering only.

Requirements

  • All turf removed from project area
  • Replace with climate-appropriate non-invasive plants or edibles; plants at maturity must cover at least 25% of converted area (excluding parkway)
  • Organic mulch around plants; only permeable hardscape (DG, bark/wood mulch, un-grouted pavers); gravel not allowed in planted areas
  • No high-water plants (WUCOLS) or CAL-IPC invasives; no artificial turf; no turf-look grasses
  • Remove or cap all spray irrigation; install drip or hand-water; no new sprinklers
  • Maintain climate-appropriate landscape at least 5 years after final inspection
  • IRS Form W-9 and Oaks Initiative form required

How to apply

  1. 1Review the program guide and plan project
  2. 2Submit online application at the city water page (or call 310-458-8972 for paper)
  3. 3Receive approval email with Installation Checklist, W-9 and Oaks Initiative form
  4. 4Complete project
  5. 5Email completed checklist, W-9 and Oaks form to [email protected] and request final inspection
  6. 6Check mailed within about 8 weeks of passing inspection

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of lawn removed and the $6,000 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

Up to 8 weeks for check after passing inspection

Combining it with other programs

Rain Harvest rebates applied for separately; cannot combine with Spray to Drip for same area; MWD SoCal Water$mart device rebates available

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 See something out of date?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

More programs near the same area

  • 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

  • Status not posted

    City of Santa Monica Rain Harvest Rebate

    City of Santa Monica Water Resources (Public Works)

    $200 for a 0-199 gal rain barrel; $500 for a 200-499 gal cistern; $2,000 for a 500+ gal cistern (per Sept 2022 guide)

    Up to $2,000 per household

  • Open

    California State Income Tax Exclusion for Turf Rebates

    State of California (Franchise Tax Board; Revenue and Taxation Code section 17138.2)

    Full exclusion of the rebate, voucher or other financial incentive from California taxable income