Lawn replacement · California

SCWA Cash for Grass

Run by Sacramento County Water Agency (SCWA)

PausedPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Amount not published on the current page (an older county flyer cited $0.50 per sq ft up to $1,000 per household; not confirmed)
Who qualifies
Owner of record of a single-family residence (or industrial/commercial) inside the SCWA service area; utility accounts in good standing; grass (dead or alive) must still be in place; not retroactive.
Where
Homeowners in the Sacramento County Water Agency service area in unincorporated Sacramento County.
Status
Paused. On hold until further notice; applications submitted through 6/30/26 are processed (accessed 2026-10-17)
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Replace lawn with low-water, non-invasive plants and drip irrigation.

Requirements

  • Minimum 200 sq ft
  • At least 50% plant coverage at maturity; low to medium water use non-invasive plants
  • Drip irrigation with 20-40 psi regulator, filter, emitters under 2.5 gph (or hand watering)
  • Artificial turf only if installed by a licensed contractor
  • No concrete, asphalt, brick; no bare earth lawns
  • Start only after inspector approval; 3 current photos taken within 30 days; sketch of area with measurements; Payee Data Record
  • Plant Coverage Worksheet at final inspection

The plan or design it asks for

Sketch of the conversion area with measurements submitted with the application; Plant Coverage Worksheet at inspection.

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 SCWA's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Register at cash4grass.saccounty.net
  2. 2Receive the auto-emailed application package
  3. 3Sign and complete the application, add sketch and Payee Data Record
  4. 4Email or mail to SCWA, 10151 Florin Road, Sacramento, CA 95829, Attn: Cash for Grass
  5. 5Email 3 current photos with address in subject
  6. 6Begin only after inspector approval; call inspector when done and provide plant coverage worksheet
  7. 7Payment follows inspection

Timing and deadlines

Payment 8-10 weeks after inspection approval, subject to funding

Applications through 2026-06-30 only

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 See something out of date?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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