Lawn replacement · Oregon

Medford Water Commission Lawn Replacement Rebate

Run by Medford Water Commission

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
$1.75 per sq ft for the first 800 sq ft, maximum $1,400; cannot exceed project cost
Maximum
$1,400 per household
Who qualifies
Medford Water customers who irrigate with potable water; renters who pay the water bill need a signed owner permission form; conversions over 800 sq ft are case by case. Lawn must have been regularly irrigated for the past five years.
Where
Medford Water Commission customers who irrigate with potable water.
Status
Open. First come, first served, subject to available funds and annual budget approval; application PDF dated 2024, no newer version found.
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Remove live, irrigated lawn and replace it with water-wise plants, mulch, permeable surfaces and low-volume irrigation, after pre-approval.

Requirements

  • Conversion must show a 10% water-use reduction versus the average of the highest three previous years
  • 90% of plants drought tolerant or low water use
  • At least 50% living plant cover at maturity
  • No live lawn or invasive plants in converted area
  • Sprinkler heads removed, capped or replaced with drip, micro-spray, bubblers or low-precipitation rotators with pressure regulator and filter
  • Exposed soil fully mulched; surfaces must be permeable (no concrete or plastic sheeting)
  • Get HOA approval first; do not remove lawn before Authorization to Proceed
  • Mandatory pre and post inspections
  • Complete within 6 months of Authorization to Proceed
  • Submit receipts; W-9 required for rebates over $600
  • Submit May to October watering schedule
  • Complete the water-wise landscaping website review questions

The plan or design it asks for

Simple site sketch with project area square footage, plant locations, existing and new irrigation type, and permeable surface materials; submitted with the application before approval, plus 2 photos of existing lawn.

Native plant lists for the area: Medford

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 Medford Water Commission's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Fill in the application PDF with site plan, 2 photos, website review answers and renter permission form if applicable
  2. 2Email to [email protected] or mail to Medford Water, Water Efficiency Program, 200 S. Ivy St. Room 177
  3. 3Wait for the pre-inspection and the Authorization to Proceed form
  4. 4Complete the project within 6 months
  5. 5Notify Medford Water, pass post-inspection and hand over receipts
  6. 6Rebate approval form issued by inspector

Estimate your rebate

Uses the published rate per square foot of lawn removed and the $1,400 cap. The program sets the final amount after its inspection.

Enter an area to see an estimate

Timing and deadlines

Payment issued within 4 to 6 weeks after approved post-inspection

6 months from Authorization to Proceed

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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