Lawn conversion rebate

Conversion Method

1. Convert lawn through sheet mulching to improve soil and plant health and reduce your yard waste, OR
2. Physically remove lawn.

Plants

1. Must cover at least 50% of the converted area once fully grown.
2. Must be climate-appropriate, low-water-use plants that require little to no irrigation once established. Check plant eligibility in our plant database.
3. No artificial turf or low-water turf alternatives (E.g., buffalograss) allowed.

Irrigation

1. Sprinklers must be removed, capped, or converted to drip (how to video).
2. If installing drip, include a pressure regulator and filter installed per manufacturer directions.
3. Plants with different water requirements (E.g., trees, vegetable gardens) must be grouped into separate irrigation zones to ensure that plants are not overwatered.

Materials

1. A minimum of 3 inches of mulch is required in planted areas and over exposed soil.
2. No non-biodegradable weed barriers (E.g. landscape fabric, weed cloth, or plastic).
3. Only permeable hardscape: any patios and walkways made of pavers or bricks should be set in a bed of sand, gravel, or decomposed granite, that allow water to pass through.

All standard lawn conversion rebate requirements (listed above) apply to the super rebate. Additional super rebate requirements are as follows:

1. Convert existing lawn by sheet mulching in place with cardboard rather than physically removing the lawn. Mulch must be plant based (not rock/gravel).
2. Apply a minimum ½-inch layer of compost in planted areas.
3. Majority of plants must be CA natives. All plants must be low water use.
4. Plants must be installed between September and February (cool, rainy season).

EBMUD encourages these four super rebate best practices to promote additional water conservation and environmental benefits.

• Sheet mulching, the process of layering cardboard and mulch on top of existing grass to compost it in place, improves soil quality and reduces landfill waste.
• Applying compost further encourages healthy soil and helps to increase the water holding capacity of soil.
• CA native plants are adapted to our dry summers. Once established, many CA native plants need minimal supplemental irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Additionally, CA native plants help to support local wildlife and increase biodiversity.
• Planting in the fall and winter allows new plants to utilize natural rainfall for establishment, thus requiring less initial irrigation.

No; the lawn conversion program is intended to incentivize the conversion of existing lawns and is not retroactive. Projects that have been started or completed (including removing the lawn) without formal EBMUD approval are not eligible.

Lawn conversion rebate projects are given a nine-month deadline to complete project after EBMUD application approval.

If you cannot meet your project deadline please reach out to the staff member who approved your application before your deadline passes. Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis, but are not guarenteed.

No. While artificial turf may require less water compared to a traditional grass lawn, EBMUD does not rebate it due to environmental considerations such as plastic leaching, lack of viable recycling options, and the urban heat island effect. For more information, please see Valley Water's Artificial Turf Information Sheet. 

For residential customers applying for rebates that, individually or in combination total $600 or more in a tax year, EBMUD requires the submittal of a W-9 form from the person receiving the payment prior to payment. All personal information provided within the W-9 will be kept confidential in accordance with the Consumer Privacy Act and other applicable state and federal law.

If the total rebate amount is $600 or more in a single calendar year, you will be issued a 1099 form in accordance with Internal Revenue Service requirements. Most residential rebates are excluded from gross income by state law and are not subject to state income tax, but these rebates may be taxable income under federal law. The determination of whether the rebate may be subject to tax is dependent on several variables, and it is recommended that you contact a tax professional for further information.

During any 24-month period, the combined rebate amount provided by EBMUD may not exceed $2,000 for residential and small multi-family properties (4 units or less), and $15,000 for commercial and large multi-family properties (5+ units). You may apply for an additional rebate after the 24-month period has elapsed.

Our rebate programs have expiration dates to allow us to make modifications as needed. Unless designated as a pilot on our website, most of our rebate programs will continue beyond the expiration date listed on the application.

Super rebate applications are accepted year round. We encourage applying early to maximize water savings and to get a head start on preparing for fall/winter planting. All aspects of the project besides planting can be completed outside of the "cool season" window. Nine month project deadlines allow time to meet the planting window requirement regardless of when the initial application is received.