Lawn replacement · California

San Luis Obispo County Cash for Grass

Run by County of San Luis Obispo Department of Planning and Building

Status not postedPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Per sq ft rate not published in the terms; maximum $6,000 per property
Maximum
$6,000 per household
Who qualifies
Property owner (or tenant with written owner consent) overlying the Nipomo Mesa Water Conservation Area or Paso Robles Groundwater Basin; project area must have a dedicated irrigation system (brown lawns ok if left intact).
Where
Unincorporated properties over the Nipomo Mesa Water Conservation Area or Paso Robles Groundwater Basin.
Status
Status not posted. The official page doesn't say whether it's taking applications.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program pageSome details here could not be confirmed on an official page. Check them there first.

What you do

Remove irrigated turf and replace with approved low-water plants and groundcover after county pre-inspection.

Requirements

  • Minimum 500 sq ft of turf converted
  • Apply and pass pre-conversion inspection before removing turf
  • At least 10% of replaced area living material from the County-approved plant list
  • Replacement materials permeable; at least one tree each in front and back yard (existing counts)
  • Mulch required on bare soil; at least 2 inches of bark mulch maintained annually
  • Drip irrigation with pressure regulator, filter, emitters under 2.5 gph and a smart controller; no overhead spray
  • Artificial turf allowed only if installed by licensed contractor with 10-year warranty (Astroturf/patio carpet ineligible)
  • Complete within 120 days of pre-inspection
  • Landscape must stay in place in perpetuity; county site visits within 5 years
  • Water savings credits from the project are held by the County

The plan or design it asks for

With the application: existing landscape sketch of project area, landscape plan of proposed replacement, list and number of plants from the county-approved list, and list of groundcover materials.

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 Luis Obispo County's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Submit application with plans to [email protected] or 976 Osos St Room 300, San Luis Obispo
  2. 2County schedules pre-conversion inspection and mails an approval letter with the rebate amount and due date
  3. 3Complete project within 120 days of pre-inspection
  4. 4Request final inspection
  5. 5Rebate issued within 4-5 weeks of final inspection

Timing and deadlines

Rebate 4-5 weeks after final inspection

120 days from pre-inspection

Combining it with other programs

not published

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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