Lawn replacement · California

San Diego County Waterscape Turf Replacement Rebate

Run by County of San Diego Watershed Protection Program (Waterscape Rebate Program)

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
County supplement stacks on SoCal WaterSmart base: total $3-$4 per sq ft (County page; the page notes the County $1/sq ft portion was not paid for July-Aug 2026 notices-to-proceed, SoCal WaterSmart $2/sq ft still paid). Properties not eligible for SoCal WaterSmart: $4 per sq ft. Plus $1 per sq ft for California native plants.
Maximum
$20,000 per household
Who qualifies
Residential, multifamily or commercial property in unincorporated San Diego County. $3-$4 track: served by one of the listed SDCWA/EMWD member agencies. $4 track: unincorporated property not served by those agencies or with a project ineligible for SoCal WaterSmart.
Where
Residential, multifamily and commercial properties in unincorporated San Diego County.
Status
Open. With a notice: unincorporated applicants given a Notice to Proceed in July-August 2026 do not get the County $1/sq ft; applicants were asked to pause new SoCal WaterSmart applications until further notice. Confirm current status with staff.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Remove living lawn (or high-water shrubs on the $4 track) and replace it with low-water plants, 3-inch organic mulch, a stormwater retention feature and efficient irrigation, with County staff guiding you.

Requirements

  • Living turf only; artificial turf replacement not permitted
  • 3 plants per 100 sq ft of transformed area with a 3-inch layer of organic mulch
  • Include a stormwater retention feature (rain garden, rock garden, dry river bed, swales, berms, rain barrels or cisterns)
  • No hardscape in the transformed area except permeable hardscape
  • Overhead spray sprinklers removed, capped or converted to drip, micro-sprays, bubblers or high-efficiency rotating nozzles
  • Project must be approved (Notice to Proceed) before any work begins
  • Cap, $3-$4 track: 5,000 sq ft residential ($15,000-$20,000); cap, $4 track: 1,250 sq ft residential ($5,000)

The plan or design it asks for

Planning tool and plant spacing calculator are offered; a site plan/plant plan is part of the application reviewed by staff before the Notice to Proceed. Exact plan contents not published on the overview page.

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 San Diego County's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Check your address on the County program eligibility page
  2. 2Submit the Interest Form (select Turf Replacement); staff respond within five business days
  3. 3Staff consult with you and help apply through SoCal WaterSmart (or the County track)
  4. 4Wait for the Notice to Proceed before removing any turf
  5. 5Complete the project, then submit completion documentation for payment

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of turf replaced and the $20,000 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

Staff contact within five business days of the interest form; payment timing not published on the overview page.

not published

Combining it with other programs

Native Plant Incentive ($1/sq ft); Rain-Saving rebates; SoCal WaterSmart base rebate

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

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