In these uncertain times, more people are finding solace in the garden. Growing edibles surging in popularity. Plants and seeds are flying off the shelves of garden centers. That leads us to water. SF Bay Area Water Districts are eager to help you save money on water-saving irrigation equipment, drought-tolerant plants, and lawn conversion. How often do you hear that?
I compiled a list of Counties and districts with links to rebate requirements – everything you need to know. The rebates apply to both commercial and residential accounts. Scroll down for a downloadable report.

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New! Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller Instant Rebate (for residential customers)
Rebate for converting their lawns to water-efficient landscapes.*
$1.00/sq.ft of lawn converted. Please contact us to learn more.
*To be eligible for this rebate, customers must be pre-approved by ACWD, so please check with us first before beginning your landscape conversion project. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first served basis. Funding is limited. For additional lawn replacement ideas, please visit LoseYourLawn.org.
For additional lawn replacement ideas, please visit LoseYourLawn.org.
Application Materials
Application – Please EMAIL this application to cons@acwd.com
Resources
COMMERCIAL
Weather-based “smart controller” rebates
Commercial and large landscape customers that replace their existing conventional irrigation controller with a “smart” irrigation controller may qualify for a rebate of up to $30* per active station. See our Program Brochure (PDF) for more information. Sites must be pre-qualified – Please contact us for more information about how to get pre-qualified. *Rebate is based on the number of active stations of each existing controller.
Contra Costa Water District (CCWD)
Note: Rebate programs and inspections could be delayed due to COVID-19.
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Lawn Conversion rebate
The rebate is $1 per square foot of lawn replaced up to the maximum amount.
The maximum rebate for single-family residential sites is $1,000.
The website has checklist and detailed list of restrictions.
Weather based smart irrigation controller rebates
$12 per active (used) irrigation station (zone) up to 50% of the list cost of the controller(s). Limit one rebate per customer per address. Limit one controller rebate per customer per address without pre-approval. Multiple controllers per address may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. Pre-approval is required.
COMMERCIAL
Lawn Conversion rebate
The rebate is $1 per square foot of lawn replaced up to the maximum amount.
Maximum commercial, multi-family, and municipal accounts is $20,000 per site.
The website has checklist and detailed list of restrictions.
Weather based smart irrigation controller rebates
Rebate is to upgrade conventional controllers to WaterSense certified smart irrigation controllers only.
$20 per active irrigation station (zone) not to exceed 50% of the list price of the controller.

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
Note: Due to COVID-19 there will be a delay in responding to and processing mailed-in rebates. For a faster turnaround, please email your rebate application to waterconservation@ebmud.com.
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Lawn Conversion rebate
Up to $2,000 (single-family and small multi-family homes)
Irrigation Equipment rebate
Up to $2,000 for equipment that includes:
- High efficiency nozzles
- Drip irrigation conversion
- Pressure regulators
- Self-adjusting controllers
- Irrigation sub-meters
COMMERCIAL
Lawn Conversion rebate
Up to 15,000 (commercial and large multi-family properties)
Irrigation Equipment rebate
Up to $15,000 for commercial or large multi-family properties.
Equipment includes:
- High efficiency nozzles
- Drip irrigation conversion
- Pressure regulators
- Self-adjusting controllers
- Irrigation sub-meters
North Marin Water District
North Marin Water District has several rebate programs available including a Cash-for-Grass Turf Rebate, a Water Smart Landscape Rebate, and a Weather Based Irrigation Controller Rebate.
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Cash for Grass
$50 per 100 square feet of lawn area. Limited to total of $400 for single family dwellings.
Requirements include:
- Replace the regularly mowed and automatically irrigated lawn with California native low water use plant material (see District Approved Plant List or Sonoma Marin saving water partnership list).
- Mulch new landscape to a depth of at least 4 inches.
- Agree not to re-install irrigated turf in the project area.
Water Smart Landscape Rebates
Rebate amount: 50% of the actual cost of District approved items, up to a maximum of $100 for residential customers.
Equipment that qualifies includes:
- Drip irrigation systems
- Water pressure-regulating devices
- Check valves
- Multi-stream rotating sprinkler nozzles (for lawn areas only)
- Rain shut-off devices
- Mulch
Weather Based Irrigation Controller Rebate*
$100 or $30 per active station up to $1,200 per controller, whichever is greater.
List of eligible controllers includes: Weathermatic, ET Water, Rainmaster, Hunter, Toro, Rainbird.
*Note: does not specify whether it is residential or commercial
MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS (they do not have a commercial category for rebates)
Cash for Grass
$50 per 100 square feet of lawn area. Limited to total of $100 for townhouses or condominiums, $50 for apartments.
Requirements include:
- Replace the regularly mowed and automatically irrigated lawn with California native low water use plant material (see District Approved Plant List or Sonoma Marin saving water partnership list).
- Mulch new landscape to a depth of at least 4 inches.
- Agree not to re-install irrigated turf in the project area.
MMWD (Marin Municipal Water District)
They offer rebates for either residential or commercial property.
Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate – up to $100 for both residential or commercial
Landscape your lawn – (LYL) Turf Replacement Incentives – for residential or commercial
LYL Option 1: Rebate of $1/square foot of lawn replaced
Customers are reimbursed costs based on receipts submitted for eligible expenses, which include sheet mulching materials, drip irrigation components, and climate-appropriate plants.
LYL Option 2: Free sheet mulch material (cardboard, compost, mulch) and delivery, plus a free irrigation conversion kit
This option provides all the materials necessary to remove your existing lawn using a sheet mulch approach, as well as a component kit to convert existing overhead spray irrigation to high-efficiency drip irrigation.
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Smart Irrigation Controller Rebates
Rebates from $300, $700, or $1000 depending on the number of stations.
Link above has details or call 855-512-1221 for complete program details and to apply for the rebate.
Water Efficient Landscape Rebate (program has been cancelled until further notice)
COMMERCIAL
Smart Irrigation Controller Rebates
Rebates from $300, $700, or $1000 depending on the number of stations.
Link above has details or call 855-512-1221 for complete program details and to apply for the rebate.
LISTED BY CITY
Many Bay Area cities offer landscaping water conservation rebates. Below is a list of cities that offer these rebates:
Santa Rosa Water District
Both residential rebates and commercial rebates for turf replacement, irrigation efficiency improvement, and rainwater harvesting.
HOMES
Cash for Grass
$0.50/sq. ft. up to max of 500 sq. ft. or $250.00
For more information and requirements.
Irrigation Efficiency
up to $100.00 max for pre-qualified equipment/hardware
Equipment includes water conserving controllers.
For more information and requirements.
COMMERCIAL
Cash for Grass
$0.50/sq.ft.up to max of 5,000 sq.ft. or $2,500.00
For more information and requirements.
Irrigation Efficiency
up to $1,000.00 max per meter for pre-qualified equipment/hardware
Equipment includes water conserving controllers.
For more information and requirements.
City of Petaluma
The city of Petaluma provides Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional accounts as well as Multi-Family Residential accounts. (No commercial rebates listed on the website)
Homes
Smart Irrigation Controller Rebates.
up to a $900 rebate for the purchase of a Smart Irrigation controller.
