In partnership with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) SoCal Water $mart Rebate Program, LADWP customers can get $5 per square foot (LADWP $3/sq ft + MWD $2/sq ft = $5/sq ft) to transform existing lawn into a sustainable, low water use landscape. A sustainable landscape can help you save on your water bill by reducing your water use as well as help recharge groundwater, reduce urban runoff and enhance wildlife habitat. Your beautiful new low water use landscape can include the following:
- California Friendly® plants, including native species most appropriate for L.A.’s climate
- Mulch or other groundcover to help retain soil moisture
- A rain capture feature like a rain garden, rain barrel, cistern, infiltration trench, or vegetated swale
- Drip irrigation
- The converted area must remain in compliance with all program requirements for a period of 5 years.
Residential Customers
All applications must be submitted online through the SoCal Water$mart website. Effective October 1, 2022; applications submitted are eligible to receive a rebate for turf replacement of $5.00 per square foot for 5,000 square feet (Sq. Ft.) maximum.
| Project Minimum Size (Sq. Ft.) |
Project Maximum Size (Sq. Ft.) |
Rebate Amount per Sq. Ft. |
Maximum Rebate Amount (5,000 Sq. Ft. max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 5,000 | $5.00 | $25,000 |
Commercial / Multi-Family (5 or more dwelling units) Customers
All applications must be submitted online through the SoCal Water$mart website. Effective October 1, 2022; applications submitted are eligible to receive a rebate for turf replacement of $5.00 per Sq. Ft. for the first 50,000 Sq. Ft. and $3.00 for 50,001 Sq Ft. up to 7 acres maximum (304,920 Sq. Ft.)
| Project Minimum Size (Sq. Ft.) |
Project Maximum Size (Sq. Ft.) |
Rebate Amount per Sq. Ft. |
Maximum Rebate Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 50,000 | $5.00 | $250,000 |
| 50,001 | 7 acres | $3.00 | $914,760 |
Follow these steps to get the Turf Replacement rebate:
- Plan your project. Assess your project area, take measurements, and design your sustainable landscape. Review our helpful Transform Your Lawn booklet. To get inspired, sign up for free landscape classes and check out our free design templates and low water-use plant list.
- Get project pre-approval BEFORE removing any grass or starting a project. Reserve your rebate at socalwatersmart.com. Submit at least five pictures, the first page of your LADWP bill, project measurements, and your landscape plan. Obtain pre-approval before starting your project. Review all terms and conditions to qualify for the rebate.
- Start your project. After pre-approval, start your project yourself or with the help of a contractor (see our tips on how to hire a contractor). You must complete the project within six months. The best planting time is October to March as cooler temperatures make outdoor work easier and promote healthy root development for a more successful project.
- Check, submit and claim your rebate. Review the Sustainable Landscape Checklist. Submit photos of your completed project at socalwatersmart.com to complete your rebate application. Before your rebate is issued, your project will be reviewed and may be inspected.
Parkway Landscaping Rebate
LADWP customers can also receive a rebate for parkway landscaping improvements.
How to Apply
Application preapproval is required before starting any turf replacement project.
Residential Customers
Commercial/ Multi-Family (5 or more dwelling units) Customers
Free Landscape Classes
Landscape Training Classes
One-hour online classes provide a cursory overview of the benefits of a California Friendly Native Plant landscape and an introduction to the different ways on how to remove your grass.
California Friendly® Landscaping in Los Angeles
Learn how to transform your thirsty lawn into a beautiful, sustainable garden with low water-need plants that thrive in the LA climate. Find out how to design, California Friendly landscaping, search free sample landscape design templates, discover a curated list of plants, and much more.
Water Efficient Landscape Dual Certification Program
Become a Certified Water Managers and Qualified Water Efficient Landscapers through MWD's Water Efficient Landscape Dual Certification Program.
Los Angeles Outdoor Landscaping Academy
Professional landscaper or gardener looking to get certified on how to maintain a water-efficient, California Friendly® or native garden, can check out these free certification programs can help your master maintenance of native and California Friendly® plants, irrigation efficiency, weed and pest management and more.
Other Resources
Landscape Transformation: How-to Videos
Watch step-by-step landscape transformation videos on how to survey your site, turf removal, garden design, planting, maintenance, and much more.
Sustainability JFB California Friendly® Demonstration Garden
View LADWP’s California Friendly® Demonstration Garden at the John Ferraro Building (JFB)!
City Plants
City of LA residents are eligible to receive free trees from City Plants to plant in your yard or in your parkway.
Mulch Giveaway
Mulch plays a vital role in creating and maintaining a drought tolerant landscape. Mulch is available at no cost to all City of LA residents through LA Sanitation's Free Mulch Giveaway program.
Residential SoCal Water $mart Water Rebate Program
Through a partnership with the Metropolitan Water District’s SoCal Water $mart program, LADWP offers water conservation rebates for clothes washers, toilets, leak detection, turf replacement and landscape irrigation.
Program Documents
Download the booklet for a step by step guide to planning your turf replacement project, $5 rebate FAQs, a sustainable landscape and more!
Review our Tips on How to Hire a Landscape Contractor.
DISCLAIMER: This program shall at all times be subject to change or termination without notice. By applying for an LADWP rebate and/or program, personal information provided may be subject to public disclosure by requesting parties pursuant to the California Public Records Act.