Cash for Grass Rebate Program

(Online Applications Only)

The Waterworks Districts offer customers a rebate for removing water-inefficient grass with drought-tolerant landscaping. Please be advised that the rebate is not available until after completion of the drought conversion project. This means customers will not receive a rebate until after the project is completed and post-inspected. The Cash for Grass program has been a successful program and has removed over 2,000,000 square feet of inefficient turf and replaced it with drought-tolerant, efficient landscaping. If you have any questions, please contact our Water Conservation Hotline at (626) 300-3313.

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Cash for Grass Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cash for Grass Rebate Program?

The Waterworks Districts offer customers a rebate for removing water-inefficient grass with drought tolerant landscaping. The Rebate Program assists customers with reducing their overall water consumption.

How long will this program last? Is there enough funding for my application?

The program lasts as long as funding is available. Funding is limited. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

How long does it take to get pre-approval?

Due to the popularity of the program, receiving pre-approval for your conversion project will take 2 to 4 months. Funding is limited. Applications will be processed in the order they were received and are subject to funding availability.

Do you have a list of recommended contractors?

The Districts cannot endorse individual contractors. Customers are encouraged to check online listings for reviews in your area.

How long does it take to get a rebate check?

Due to the popularity of the program, please allow at least 6-8 weeks for the arrival of your rebate check once your post-inspection has been completed.

My project was recently completed. Can I still apply for the rebate?

No, conversion projects that have been completed are not eligible for the rebate.

I am interested but need financial assistance. Is assistance available for customers to finance a replacement project?

Loans are available to assist customers with landscape replacement projects through Los Angeles County's Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. As an alternative to a rebate, all Waterworks customers qualify for the PACE program which enables property owners to install energy efficiency, renewable energy and water-saving improvements (such as drought tolerant landscaping) to their properties without putting any money down! Under PACE, homeowners may obtain a loan to finance these improvements. Homeowners then repay the loan annually through an assessment on their property tax bill. For more information on this program, please visit Los Angeles County PACE

Program Eligibility

Must be a customer of the Los Angeles County Waterworks District Nos. 21, 37, or 40
Grass areas to be replaced must be maintained and should not be overgrown with weeds or brush.
- Customers with brown or yellow grass are still eligible for the program. The condition of the grass can be verified through historical aerial photography
- Customers will have six (6) months to complete the conversion project and can immediately stop watering the grass area to be replaced
- Please note, local city ordinances regarding lawn maintenance are only applicable to maintenance. Customers will not be fined for brown/yellow lawn areas
New landscaping must include, but is not limited to:
- Native or drought-tolerant plants
- Mulch or Decomposed Granite
- Rock
- Un-grouted stepping stones
- Permeable hardscape
Artificial turf is not eligible for a rebate

For District 21, 37, and 40 customers (Kagel Canyon, Acton, and Antelope Valley), apply here

For District 29 customers (Malibu, Topanga, and Marina Del Rey), apply through http://socalwatersmart.com/

For District 36 customers (Val Verde), apply through https://yourscvwater.com/save-water-money/

Xeriscape Education

About 70 percent of the water consumed by the average single-family home is used outdoors. That means the best place to start conserving is your lawn and your garden. Xeriscape—landscaping with plants that use less water—can reduce outdoor water use by as much as 50 percent. Not only will you have a more beautiful and unique landscape, you will also save water and money.

Our Cash for Grass Rebate makes it easy to make the change. Click here to learn more.

The following websites offer detailed information about how you can incorporate xeriscape into your landscape:

Native Plant List

Drought Tolerant & Native Plants

Incorporating drought tolerant and native California plants into your garden can help spruce up your yard and save water. These plants help to conserve hundreds of gallons of water each year for a single family home! After California native and drought tolerant plants are established in the soil, they’ll require substantially less water and maintenance than traditional landscaping plants, so you can spend less time watering and more time in the yard enjoying your plants. By planting California native plants and reducing water use, you’re not only saving yourself time and money, but you’re creating a habitat for birds and butterflies and helping reduce the strain on the environment as well!

Click below to download your local guide to drought tolerant and native plants:
The Drought Tolerant Garden for Los Angeles County (Over 500 species of native plants)
cDrought Tolerant Plants for District 29
Santa Clarita Gardens

For information on how to select and care for native plants, visit these sites: