Get rebates for removing your lawn
What is Non-functional Turf?
From EBMUD; Non-functional turf is ornamental grass not used for recreation, civic and/or other community events. It includes turf irrigated for aesthetics such as street medians and parking lots.
Rebates are available for all EBMUD customers:
Including a lawn conversion rebate, and efficient irrigation rebates.
Cash for No Grass - $15k-$20k
Commercial customers temporarily qualify for an additional $5k for converting non-functional turf through our lawn conversion rebate program.
Up to $20,000 for commercial sites that submit applications before December 2026
How to apply:
Step 1. Review requirements listed on rebate application to make sure that your project is eligible.
Step 2. Fill out and submit your completed application and photos of your existing lawn to EBMUD Water Conservation (waterconservation@ebmud.com).
Step 3. Wait for EBMUD approval before beginning your project.
Step 4. After receiving EBMUD approval, complete your lawn conversion within a 9-month deadline and provide all required documentation as outlined in the Sample Completed Documentation.
*Applicants who do not complete their project prior to the application deadline will lose their rebate eligibility. EBMUD may grant an extension if requested prior to the deadline.
Step 5. After you submit all requested information and your rebate is approved, the rebate will be issued as a check within two months. For residential customers, rebates of $600 or more in a single tax year require a W-9 form.
Prepare yourself for compliance with new water-saving legistlation.
AB 1572 - Potable water: nonfunctional turf
Summary:
This bill deems the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf as wasteful and directs agencies to support the elimination of such.
This bill would additionally require an integrated regional water management plan to address the identification and consideration of the water-related needs of owners and occupants of affordable housing, including the removal and replacement of nonfunctional turf.
This bill would prohibit the use of potable water, as defined, for the irrigation of nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, other than a cemetery, and on properties of homeowners associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities, as specified. The bill would authorize the State Water Resources Control Board to create a form for compliance certification and would require owners of covered properties to certify their compliance, as specified. The bill would authorize a public water system, city, county, or city and county to enforce these provisions, as specified. The bill would require the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development to support small and minority-owned businesses that provide services that advance compliance with these provisions.
Bill summary and text - calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org
Timeline:
For local agencies by 2027;
For institutional, commercial, and industrial properties by 2028; and
For homeowners' associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations by 2029.
