Turf Replacement Program

Here’s what your Turf Replacement project should include:

The Application Process

Two-part application on our official rebate website SoCalWater$mart

1. Project Start Approval

  • Before you begin your project or remove any grass, you must apply for a reservation

2. Rebate Application

  • After the reservation, you will have 180 days to complete the project and submit your request for a rebate

The Rebate

  • Rebate of $2.00 per square foot up to 5,000 square feet of converted yard
  • Your water agency may offer an additional rebate incentive
  • You may be eligible for additional rebates on devices such as weather based irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, rotating nozzles, rain barrels or cisterns

Check estimate my rebate for incentives offered in your area.

APPLY HERE

Water Efficient Landscape Dual Certification Program

Landscape professionals in Southern California can now become Certified Water Managers and Qualified Water Efficient Landscapers with a unique educational opportunity developed by Metropolitan and the California Landscape Contractors Association. The Water Efficient Landscape Dual Certification Program allows participants to earn two certificates – from the national Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense program and continuing education units for existing industry certifications. The program will explain Metropolitan’s Turf Replacement Program guidelines to better help residential or commercial customers. The program is free.

The three six-hour courses cover these landscaping fundamentals:

  • Where Our Water Comes From
  • Sustainable Landscaping & Soils
  • Landscape Water Budgeting & Management
  • Irrigation Systems, Scheduling, Controllers, Auditing, Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Find a Landscape Professional

The following landscape professionals are EPA WaterSense certified Qualified Water Efficient Landscape Professionals and Certified Water Managers. This list is provided as a public resource and Metropolitan makes no guarantees or representations, and assumes no responsibility or liability, as to the quality of work performed by these contractors.

Los Angeles County

A California contractor's license is mandatory for bidding or contracting construction work exceeding $500 in value, inclusive of materials and labor. You can check a contractor’s license status here.

Sustainable Landscaping Approaches

The Turf Replacement Program requires at least one of the following stormwater retention features. Check out these quick videos to see which sustainable approach works for your garden.

Turf Replacement Studies

Two new studies highlight the value and success of Metropolitan’s Turf Replacement Program. One study found a “multiplier effect.” For every 100 homes that converted their yards using a rebate, an additional 132 nearby homes converted their grass without the rebate incentive. The second study estimated the reversion rate. It found that less than 4% of participants who received a turf rebate later reverted to grass. Both studies helped Metropolitan understand the overall water-savings of the Turf Replacement Program. Learn more below.