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Lawn to Garden Rebate Program

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1. How much is the rebate?

The rebate is one dollar ($1.00) per square foot of lawn replaced. The maximum rebate is $1,000 for single-family residential accounts, and $20,000 for multifamily, commercial and institutional sites.

2. Am I required to pay a tax on my rebate?

The state of California has made it clear that water conservation rebates are not taxable. However, current federal IRS tax rules are not clear. The IRS has made it clear that CCWD is required to issue 1099 forms to individuals and companies that receive $600 or more in rebates in a calendar year. Therefore, CCWD now requires program participants that are approved to receive $600 or more in rebates in a calendar year to complete an IRS W-9 form and submit it to CCWD before receiving their rebate. Then in January of each year CCWD will issue 1099 forms to those customers that received $600 or more in rebates. Note, water agencies, state officials and members of Congress continue to work with federal tax officials to request that they treat water conservation rebates the same as they do the tax-free energy efficiency rebates. For more information, see Potential Federal Tax on Water Conservation Rebates.

3. Who is eligible to participate?

The Lawn to Garden Rebate Program is available to single family, multifamily, commercial and institutional customers who use water for their landscape through a metered service in the CCWD retail and wholesale service area. This includes customers in Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Pacheco, Port Costa, Antioch, Oakley, Pittsburg, Bay Point, Martinez and parts of Brentwood, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek. The applicant’s water account must be in good standing.

4. What lawn areas are eligible for the program?

Lawn areas to be converted must be front yards or publicly accessible areas easily visible to the general public. No backyards or areas that are not visible to the public are eligible.

5. Why are only front yards eligible?

The key reasons we focus on front yard only are:

1. The District needs to inspect participating properties to ensure the landscapes are not being converted back to lawns.

2. Front lawns are less likely to be play areas for children and pets compared to backyards. Therefore, front yard conversions are less likely to convert back to lawns than backyard conversions.

3. Front lawns can ‘advertise’ to neighbors to do the same, so they act as marketing for the program.

Note: Conservation programs are a way for CCWD to help provide water supply for the future. As such, CCWD wants to make sure the savings remain into the future.

6. What plants can I use in my water-efficient landscape?

Plants must be low water needing and adaptable to our local climate. Plants must be listed on the CCWD Approved Plant List (PDF). Plants not found on this list will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

7. I already replaced my lawn with water-efficient plants. Can I get a rebate?

No. The Program is not retroactive. Projects underway or completed prior to receiving a CCWD Notice to Proceed are not eligible.

8. I have already started my project. Can I get a rebate?

No. The Program is not retroactive. Projects underway or completed prior to receiving a CCWD Notice to Proceed are not eligible.

9. Can I receive a rebate for replacing my lawn completely with artificial turf?

No. All lawn conversion areas must contain enough plants to cover at least 50% of the area with living plants once the plants are fully grown. However, a participant may install up to 20% of the total area to be rebated with artificial grass, if the 50% living Plant Cover requirement is met. In addition, the artificial grass must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation specifications. The installation must be permeable to water and air. Patio carpet or “Astroturf” type products are not eligible.

10. Can I receive a rebate for installing a concrete patio, a walkway or an extension to my driveway?

Yes. Concrete and other non-permeable surfaces may be used but cannot make up more than 20% of the total area to be rebated. Permeable hardscape (which allows water to soak into the soil) such as gravel, brick, pavers or flagstone with permeable, mortar-less material for grout (such as sand and gravel) can make up a larger percentage of your project, but the conversion area must still meet the fifty percent (50%) living Plant Cover requirement.

11. Can I have a flagstone pathway as part of my project?

Yes. Flagstone pathways and patios where the individual stones are set and/or separated by sand or gravel (which allow water to soak into the soil) are allowed. Non-permeable surfaces such as Flagstone pathways where the stones are set on concrete and/or the joints between the stones are grouted or sealed cannot make up more than 20% of the total area to be rebated. Keep in mind that the conversion area must still meet the fifty percent (50%) living Plant Cover requirement.

12. Can I receive a rebate if I already let my lawn die due to drought?

Yes. Lawn areas proposed to be converted must be currently maintained. Brown lawns due to drought-related watering reductions will also be accepted. However, dirt areas that show no signs of the presence of a lawn are not eligible.

13. Can I receive a rebate for replacing my high water use lawn with low water use lawn?

No. This program provides incentive to convert lawns to alternative types of landscaping such as trees, shrubs, groundcovers and native bunch grasses. These use less water than even the lowest water use lawn.

14. Can I receive a rebate for replacing high water use plants other than lawn?

No. The program only credits lawn that is removed.

15. What is mulch and why is it required?

Mulch deters weeds, reduces the amount of water that evaporates from the soil, acts as an insulating layer, and keeps the soil cooler in summer. The most common types of mulch are bark chips, shredded bark, and wood chips. Rock or decomposed granite can also be used. Organic mulch breaks down and adds nutrients to the soil. The program requires that converted areas have a minimum of 2 inches (2") of mulch in all planting areas.

16. What is the 50% plant cover requirement?

Upon completion, and continuing for the five-year term of agreement, converted areas must contain enough plants to cover at least 50% of the converted area with living plants once the plants are fully grown. To determine if your plan will meet this requirement, check the mature growth size for each plant used. For information on plant sizes, check the Sunset Western Garden Book (available at bookstores and libraries) or your local nursery. Example: Retrofitting a 1,000 square foot lawn must contain a sufficient number of plants so that at maturity, the plants cover at least 500 square feet.

17. Why is there a 50% plant cover requirement?

The primary goal of the program is to reduce water use by removing water-thirsty lawn, and at the same time, encouraging the use of environmentally beneficial, water-efficient landscaping. Trees, shrubs and groundcovers provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, supply oxygen, reduce soil erosion, give wildlife a home, decrease energy use by cooling the area, reduce storm water, and save water.

18. Can I keep my existing lawn sprinklers to water my new garden?

No. The existing lawn sprinklers in the converted area must be removed. Any lawn areas remaining outside the converted area must be irrigated separately from the new landscape.

19. What type of irrigation system do I need to use?

Participants have three options for irrigating their new landscape, but drip irrigation is the preferred method:
1) The District encourages participants to install a new drip irrigation system equipped with a pressure regulator, filter and pressure compensating emitters. Drip is the most efficient way to irrigate plants, trees, and shrubs. CCWD has information on drip irrigation available at our drip irrigation section on the website.

2) Participants can choose to hand-water their new landscape and not install a drip system. However, this is not encouraged as it is more difficult to establish plants and maintain uniform moisture.

3) On rare occasions, with prior District approval, participants may use low-application rate sprinklers to irrigate their new landscape. These systems must have an application rate of less than 1” per hour and be designed and installed to ensure there is zero overspray onto adjacent pavement or structures and zero runoff due to plants blocking the spray. Participants must get prior District approval and be able to demonstrate the system meets the requirements.

20. What if I only convert part of my lawn?

If only part of the lawn is converted, the remaining lawn must be irrigated separately (i.e., on its own valve) from the new landscape, and the sprinkler system for the lawn must be modified to eliminate overspray onto the new landscaped area. For information on drip irrigation, visit our drip irrigation section on the website.

21. How many times can I apply for the rebate?

Eligible customers may participate one time per rebated area and cannot exceed the maximum allowed rebate of $1,000 per single family residential account or $20,000 per multifamily, commercial and institutional site.

22. Do I need to change my irrigation controller to be eligible?

The District does not require any specific controller or controller features, but highly recommends using a controller that has multiple programs (i.e., schedules). This way the new low water needing plants can be watered less frequently than other plants in your yard. This will allow you to achieve maximum water savings and plant health in your yard.