Lawn replacement · Texas

Austin Water WaterWise Landscape Rebate

Run by Austin Water

OpenPlan requiredLast checked October 17, 2026
What you get
Up to $3,000 (city rebate page). Per-sq-ft rate not on the program page; a city conservation plan describes $100 per 100 sq ft
Maximum
$3,000 per household
Who qualifies
Residential customers of Austin Water or a listed partner provider. At least 75% of the conversion area must be healthy turf; dead lawns do not qualify.
Where
Residential customers of Austin Water, Aqua Texas systems, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley, Westlake Hills, Mid-Tex Utilities and Wells Branch MUD.
Status
Open. (page lists it as available; funding level not stated)
Type of payment
Rebate
Official program page

What you do

Replace healthy turf grass with a native or adapted plant bed (more than half the area covered by plants at mature size).

Requirements

  • Get approval from Austin Water before starting any work; work begun earlier does not qualify
  • At least 75% of conversion area must be healthy turf
  • Plants at mature spread must cover more than half the conversion area
  • Plants from the Grow Green Plant Guide (other native/adapted plants may qualify; include a plant list)
  • Till beds 6 inches and add compost (1 inch recommended)
  • Weed barrier fabric under gravel or plain mulch beds for residential
  • Convert any uncapped irrigation in the area to drip
  • No water features, artificial turf or permeable concrete; no conversion to Buffalo, Bermuda or Zoysia grass
  • Gravel paths up to 3 ft wide and patios up to 200 sq ft allowed (residential)
  • Plants must go in during the seasonal planting window; site visit may be required

The plan or design it asks for

Plan showing conversion area and plant list with mature spreads, submitted with the application before work starts.

Native plant lists for the area: Austin

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 Austin Water's rules for exactly what to submit.

Start a plan in Sow

How to apply

  1. 1Check eligibility and read the WaterWise Landscaping Rebate Guide
  2. 2Apply via the Austin Water Conservation Hub (austinwater.my.site.com/CODA) or the form linked on the guide
  3. 3Wait for written approval before removing turf or buying materials
  4. 4Install mulch/hardscape, then plants in the planting window
  5. 5Complete post-project inspection/verification as required
  6. 6Receive rebate

Timing and deadlines

Rebate expected 6-8 weeks after project completion; fall installations not paid before Oct 1.

Approval needed before work; plant only in seasonal window

Combining it with other programs

Not published; Austin Water also offers Landscape Survival Tools and Rainscape

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