 |
Rebate : $0.50 per square foot of lawn removed
Up to $500 for Single Family Residential Customers
Up to $2,500 for Multi-Family and Commercial Customers
Remove your water thirsty-lawn and enjoy...
- savings on your utility bill
- an updated, attractive landscape
- less maintenance
|
Check In.
 |
Read the Eligibility Requirements and FAQs.
Before removing ANY lawn, call the Water Conservation Office at 831-420-5230 to set up a pre-approval site visit. We'll verify your project meets the rebate requirements, take a measurement, and a photo.
Lawn that has already been removed is NOT eligible for a rebate. |
Dig In.
 |
Once approved, you'll have 180 days to convert your lawn to a low-water use permeable landscape. |
Cash In.
 |
When your project is completed call us for a final site visit, submit your rebate application and receive a rebate check. |
|
Qualifying Landscape Conversions
- Climate appropriate plants that require little or no supplemental irrigation (very low and low water use plants). See plant ideas below.
- Permeable hardscape such as pavers, bricks, or flagstone set in sand, gravel, or decomposed granite areas that allows water to pass through and be absorbed on site.
- If the converted area will use an irrigation system, only low volume drip systems are allowed.
- All planted areas must have at least a two-inch layer of mulch.
|
|
|
Non-Qualifying Landscape Conversions
- Plants that require regular supplemental irrigation and are not adapted to a summer-dry climate (medium and high water use plants).
- Artificial turf installations.
- Impermeable surfaces such as concrete or flagstone mortared into place.
- Overhead spray/sprinkler systems.
|
|
Before and After Photos
Take a look at some of the gardens our lawn removal rebate customers have installed.
Design and Installation Assistance - List of landscape designers and contractors
Planting Ideas
Very Low and Low Water Use Plant List - List of plants that require minimal water
Water-Smart Gardening in Santa Cruz County - Features local gardens and a plant database
Lose the Lawn: 21 Inspiring Yards - 21 lawn-free yards from Sunset magazine
Customer Gardens - View gardens from our lawn removal rebate customers
Plants and Landscapes for Summer Dry Climates - Excellent book with beautiful photographs
Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) - List includes low and very low water use plants
Mulch and Wood Chip Resources
Organic Materials Exchange
Santa Cruz Resource Recovery on Dimeo Lane
Vision Recycling
Local nurseries and landscape supply stores
Keeping Stormwater Runoff on Site
Slow It. Spread It. Sink It.
City's Stormwater Best Management Practices
Remove your water thirsty lawn and enjoy... an updated, attractive landscape and savings on your utility bills.