Every major California program pays you to take out lawn, and every one of them cancels the money if you start before their sign-off. Rates, caps and the rule that costs homeowners the rebate, each verified on the program's own pages.
Which program is yours?
The rebate comes from the agency that bills you for water, not the city you live in. Look at the name on your water bill and match it below; most Southern California suppliers pay through the regional SoCal WaterSmart program, sometimes with their own top-up. Your supplier's schedule page also says which program covers it.
SoCal WaterSmart (MWD)Metropolitan Water District of Southern California$2.00per sq ft$2.00/sq ft base, up to 5,000 sq ft per yearWho can apply Residential customers of Metropolitan's member agencies in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura countiesThe regional base rebate behind most Southern California programs. Live turf, a stormwater feature and a reservation before any digging.Verified August 2026
LADWP (Los Angeles)Los Angeles Department of Water and Power$5.00per sq ft$5.00/sq ft in Los Angeles ($3 LADWP on top of $2 MWD)Who can apply LADWP residential customers: single-family homes and multi-family up to 4 unitsLos Angeles adds its own money on top of the regional base, which makes it the highest rate in the state, with the tightest project rules.Verified August 2026
EBMUD (East Bay)East Bay Municipal Utility District$1.00per sq ft$1.00/sq ft, or $2.00/sq ft with the Super RebateWho can apply EBMUD water customers in Alameda and Contra Costa countiesEast Bay pays per square foot and doubles the rate for sheet-mulched, native-planted conversions done in the cool season.Verified August 2026
Valley Water (Santa Clara Co.)Valley Water, Santa Clara County$2.00per sq ft$2.00/sq ft base, $3 to $4/sq ft in six cost-share citiesWho can apply Sites within Santa Clara County; higher rates for customers of six partner citiesSanta Clara County pays a base rate that six partner cities top up, with lifetime caps counted per property rather than per project.Verified August 2026
City of SacramentoCity of Sacramento Department of Utilities$1.50per sq ft$1.50/sq ft, up to $3,000 for a single-family homeWho can apply City of Sacramento Department of Utilities water customersThe capital pays per square foot up to a fixed ceiling, plus separate add-ons for drip conversion, a smart controller and design help.Verified August 2026
The rule shared by all five
Apply and get the written reservation or sign-off first, leave the lawn in the ground until the pre-inspection where one is required, and only then start work. Programs differ on whether the grass has to still be green: some accept dying or brown turf, none accept bare dirt where a lawn used to be.
After the lawn is out
PlantsPick low water plants for the new bed. The plant guides show the monthly need for each California climate zone, so the rebate garden stays cheap to run.
MinutesReset the controller. A converted zone on drip needs a fraction of the old lawn minutes; the run time calculator gives the new number for each month.