Lawn replacement · California

Valley Water Landscape Rebates (Lawn and Pool Conversion)

Run by Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water)

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$2 per sq ft for landscape conversion (lawn or pool to low-water landscape); Lawn to Mulch $1 per sq ft is for commercial/5+ unit sites only; other categories have separate rates in the portal
Maximum
$3,000 per household
Who qualifies
Single-family and multifamily (4 or fewer units) properties in the Valley Water service area with qualifying high-water lawn or pool. Cap $3,000 default, $6,000 for cost-sharing sites (retail water agency top-ups). Conversion and irrigation upgrade rebates share one cap per application.
Where
Single-family and small multifamily properties (4 units or fewer) in Santa Clara County.
Status
Open. Funding until June 30, 2027 or until depleted; applications evaluated in order received.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Replace high-water lawn (or a pool) with a low-water landscape; also convert overhead sprinklers to in-line drip, upgrade irrigation equipment (weather-based controllers, rain sensors), or install rain barrels, cisterns or rain gardens.

Requirements

  • Pre-inspection and online application approval required before any work
  • Do not remove lawn or pool or buy materials until written Notice to Proceed
  • Submit full plant list and project description for conversions; equipment quantity and make/model for irrigation upgrades
  • 90 days to complete after Notice to Proceed
  • Post-inspection with photos or receipts
  • Sites denied for not meeting initial eligibility cannot reapply for 3 years
  • Detailed plant, mulch and artificial turf rules are in the program requirements on the Online Application Portal (not published on the landing page)

The plan or design it asks for

Not a formal design: a full plant list and project description are submitted after pre-inspection approval and before the Notice to Proceed.

Native plant lists for the area: Milpitas, Gilroy, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Mountain View, Santa Clara

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 Valley Water's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Create an account on the Online Application Portal (or call 408-630-2554 if no online access)
  2. 2Submit existing site conditions with photos and estimated project area; Valley Water may schedule an onsite pre-inspection
  3. 3After pre-inspection approval, submit proposed project details (plant list and description, or equipment make/model)
  4. 4Receive Notice to Proceed and complete the work within 90 days
  5. 5Request final post-inspection and provide photos/receipts
  6. 6Check issued 4 to 6 weeks after approved post-inspection

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of lawn or pool converted and the $3,000 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

Checks 4-6 weeks after post-inspection; 90 days to complete project

June 30, 2027 or until funds depleted; 90 days after Notice to Proceed

Combining it with other programs

City-level top-ups apply in some cities (e.g. Milpitas $4/sq ft for first 1,000 sq ft per city page, Santa Clara); can pair with Water Wise Outdoor Survey

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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