For residents across the region thinking about turning their front yards into sustainable, WaterSmart landscapes, now’s a great time to act. If you’re looking to get ahead of AB 1572, a law passed last year that bans the irrigation of ornamental turf with potable water starting in 2027, or have been waiting to the opportunity to get rid of your grass is too good to pass up right now.  

That’s thanks to a grant program through the California Department of Water Resources, which updated its rebate rates for commercial and residential turf removal. That includes an increase from $2 per square foot to $3 per square foot. Properties in the unincorporated area of San Diego are eligible to receive an additional $1 per square foot funded by the County’s Waterscape Rebate Program. 

Dry riverbed areas were established in place of existing turf, graded to capture water runoff into these areas. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Grass must be living until the application is approved. That means no dead lawns, dirt landscapes, or projects already in progress. Additionally synthetic turf grass is not allowed to be installed through this program. 

Applicants must plant a minimum of three plants or one tree per 100 square feet and those trees must be 15 gallons or larger. For those individuals looking to plant more, a $100 tree rebate is also available for up to 5 trees per project when requested as part of a turf rebate application. For additional information about this exciting rebate program, please visit SoCalWaterSmart.com.  

To help select the right climate appropriate plants for your new landscape, check out San Diego County Water Authority’s updated Nifty 50 plant list.