Grass Replacement & Tree Rebate

How do I measure my project area?

• Begin by identifying the part of your landscape that you would like to replace. Please note only areas with existing turf grass will be considered for the incentive.
• A great measuring tool to use is Google Maps Area Calculator. It allows you to roughly estimate the landscape area based on measurements produced on Google Maps.

GOOGLE MAPS CALCULATOR TOOL

• You may also use a tape measure to determine the area of your landscape. Try to break up your landscape into easily measurable shapes. There are many helpful websites and smart phone apps available to help you accurately calculate the square footage of your landscape.

• Visit the SoCal Water$mart Turf Replacement web page to estimate your rebate and submit an application to begin the approval process.

SOCAL WATER$MART TURF REPLACEMENT WEB PAGE

• Make sure you have the following items ready before applying:
  • At least five (5) color photos of the areas where you plan to remove turf – Read the Turf Replacement Program FAQs Page under the question “What are the Photo Guidelines for Turf Replacement,” to see what types of photos are required.
  • A simple landscape plan which shows the area to be transformed, including the type and location of your selected stormwater retention feature – Note: a rainwater barrel is considered an acceptable type of stormwater retention feature.
  • A photo or scanned copy of your most recent water bill.
• Set up an account with a valid email address and password. This email address will be used to provide information regarding your rebate status. The account will also allow you to log back in after your project is complete to claim your reserved rebate funding.
• Do not begin any work until you receive an email notification from SoCal Water$mart indicating that your project has been approved. The notification takes approximately two weeks to be delivered.
• Once you receive approval, you have 180 days to complete your project. After completing your project, you are ready to request your rebate.

If you have decided to hire someone else to help with your project, a good place to start is by identifying landscape contractors in your area. Before contacting various contractors, consider which aspects of the project you need help with:

• Design assistance
• Grass removal
• Choosing plants and trees
• Landscape installation

The Bewaterwise website offers a starting list of landscape professionals that are EPA WaterSense certified Qualified Water Efficient Landscape Professionals and Certified Water Managers. Please visit the link below, under the ‘Find a Landscape Professional’ section:

CONTRACTOR SEARCH

*Please note that the inclusion of this list is not an endorsement by West Basin. It is intended to function as a resource to help the progression of your project. 

There are over 1,000 eligible plants, trees, and shrubs that can be included in your landscape design. The following are two great plant databases to assist in your search:

• Bewaterwise Guided Plant Search: Find beautiful, sustainable, climate-appropriate, native, and drought tolerant options

BEWATERWISE GUIDED PLANT SEARCH

• Calscape Garden Planner: Take a questionnaire to find the perfect native plants for your garden

CALSCAPE GARDEN PLANNER

A stormwater retention feature helps keep water in your yard when it rains. 

The Grass Replacement Program requires at least one of the following stormwater retention features: 

• Rock garden
• Rain garden
• Dry river beds
• Swales
• Berms
• Grading
• Rain barrels
• Cisterns

For a detailed description of each of these features, please visit SoCal Water$mart’s Sustainable Approach Techniques web page:

RAINWATER CAPTURE ELEMENTS

West Basin also provides free distribution of rain barrels every year. To learn more about the rain barrel program, visit:

WEST BASIN RAIN BARREL PROGRAM

What type of irrigation system or adjustment is needed to receive the rebate? 

The grass replacement project should replace or modify existing overhead spray sprinklers to a more efficient irrigation system. It is important to consider the types of plants that will be used in your design and address the irrigation requirements during the design stage.  

This is a great time to consider upgrading to rotating sprinkler nozzles which are eligible for an additional rebate of $2 per nozzle (minimum quantity of 30 nozzles).  Additional information about this rebate can be found on the Socal Water$mart website:

ROTATING SPRINKLER NOZZLE REBATE

Learn how to design and install a water efficient garden through free online classes hosted by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California!

Choose from three class topics:

• California Friendly and Native Landscape Training
• Turf Removal and Garden Transformation Workshop
• Garden Design Workshop

For more information and to register, visit:

LANDSCAPING CLASSES

MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LANDSCAPE IN A DROUGHT (BROCHURE)

The planning document linked below describes the planned changes to your landscape following the requirements of the SoCal Water$mart’s Turf Replacement Program. This document can be completed by program participants for inclusion in their application.

Download the planning document here:

GRASS REPLACEMENT PLANNING DOCUMENT

Eligible residents can now receive a $100 rebate per tree for up to five trees planted while replacing grass with a beautiful California Friendly® landscape, courtesy of Metropolitan’s new rebate.

Also, by participating in the Grass Replacement Rebate Program, you are eligible to receive a $100 tree rebate (maximum of 5 trees), in addition to the $3 per square foot rebate.

To see a list of qualifying trees and how to care for them, click the buttons below.

‍A tree is defined as a woody perennial plant with many secondary branches supported above the ground by one main stem or trunk.

• Trees must be planted within the turf replacement project area.
• Trees must be a minimum size of 15 gallons when purchased and planted.
• Trees are expected to grow to at least 15-feet tall and 10-feet wide at maturity. This does not apply to edible fruit trees.
• Fruit trees will only be rebated for residential properties, not commercial.

Visit SoCalWater$mart for information on how to apply.