Lawn replacement · California

STPUD Turf Buy Back Program

Run by South Tahoe Public Utility District

OpenLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$1.50 per sq ft up to 2,000 sq ft (max $3,000)
Maximum
$3,000 per household
Who qualifies
Water customers with established, irrigated turf inside District water boundaries. Subject to availability of funds.
Where
Water customers with irrigated turf inside South Tahoe Public Utility District boundaries.
Status
Open. First-come, first-served, subject to funds; District may discontinue without notice (accessed 2026-10-17)
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Remove established irrigated lawn and replace it with plants and permeable mulch, converting irrigation to drip.

Requirements

  • Lawn verification site visit before work
  • Keep the conversion at least 5 years
  • Submit a W-9
  • Converted area reaches 15% living plant cover at 5-year maturity
  • Permeable mulch cover
  • Do not reinstall lawn elsewhere on the property
  • Existing irrigation removed or converted to drip

How to apply

  1. 1Apply through WaterSmart (stpud.watersmart.com/TBBP) or mywater.stpud.us
  2. 2Pre-conversion site visit (offered May through October)
  3. 3Complete the conversion and paperwork
  4. 4Staff approve; check mailed to property owner or appointed representative

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of turf removed and the $3,000 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

30 to 60 days after staff approve the conversion and paperwork

Site visits May through October; no other deadline listed

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 See something out of date?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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