Water-wise landscape construction

EBMUD landscape rebates

Turn eligible lawn into a beautiful lower-water landscape. EBMUD must approve the rebate application before qualifying lawn-conversion work begins.

Apply before any work begins

Do not remove your lawn or begin demolition before receiving formal EBMUD approval. The lawn-conversion rebate is not retroactive.

Program highlights

How much could your property qualify for?

Eligibility and payment are determined solely by EBMUD. Funding, requirements and rebate amounts can change, so verify current information with EBMUD before beginning construction.

Standard lawn conversion

$1.00 per sq. ft.

Replace eligible maintained lawn with qualifying low-water plants, compliant irrigation and at least three inches of mulch.

Super lawn conversion

$2.00 per sq. ft.

Meet the standard requirements, sheet-mulch the lawn, add compost, use a majority of California native plants and install during the qualifying season.

Maximum within two years

$2,000 residential

Single-family and qualifying small multifamily properties may receive up to $2,000 in combined landscape rebates during a 24-month period. Verify the current maximum directly with EBMUD.

What a qualifying conversion generally requires

Eligible existing lawn

The lawn generally must have been irrigated with potable EBMUD water and actively maintained. EBMUD reviews eligibility.

Required plant coverage

Qualifying low-water plants generally must cover at least half of the converted area at mature size.

Sprinklers removed or converted

Existing spray irrigation must be removed, capped or converted to qualifying drip irrigation.

Three inches of mulch

Planted areas and exposed soil generally require at least three inches of qualifying mulch.

Permeable hardscape

New paths and patios inside the rebate area generally must allow water to pass through.

Rain-capturing features

Dry creeks, basins and swales may help slow runoff and allow water to soak into the landscape.

We can build

Water-wise landscape improvements

An approved conversion may include low-water plants, California native plants, trees, drip irrigation, mulch, permeable pavers, decomposed granite, dry-creek features, grading and drainage improvements.

East Bay Landscape Development can review the property and construct the approved landscape. The property owner remains responsible for applying and obtaining EBMUD approval.

Important exclusions

Items that may not qualify

Artificial turf is not eligible for the lawn-conversion rebate.
Concrete or mortared hardscape inside the rebate area may not qualify.
Rock or mulch alone does not satisfy plant-coverage requirements.
Moderate or high-water plants may not qualify.
Non-biodegradable landscape fabric and plastic are prohibited.
Work started before formal approval is not eligible.

Additional water-saving opportunities

Irrigation-equipment rebates

Equipment must satisfy current EBMUD requirements. Some projects, including spray-to-drip conversions, require approval before installation.

Smart irrigation controllers

Qualifying WaterSense-labeled controllers may be eligible for a rebate.

Spray-to-drip conversion

Conversion of qualifying overhead-irrigation zones may be eligible.

High-efficiency nozzles

Qualifying replacement nozzles may be eligible when an entire zone is converted.

Irrigation flow sensors

Compatible equipment providing flow information and alerts may qualify.

Pressure regulators

Qualifying whole-system pressure-regulation equipment may be eligible.

Whole-property flowmeters

Eligible monitoring equipment that provides leak alerts may qualify.

Recommended order

How to move your project forward

Confirm eligibility

Review the official EBMUD requirements.

Document the lawn

Take clear photographs before removing anything.

Apply to EBMUD

Submit the application and required information.

Wait for approval

Do not begin work until formal approval is received.

Build and document

Complete the approved project and save receipts and photographs.

Review official EBMUD information

Always use EBMUD’s website for the current application, qualifying products, required documents and final program rules.

LAWN CONVERSION DETAILS IRRIGATION REBATES TREEBATE DETAILS