Ready to replace your lawn but not sure where to start? EBMUD's Pilot Landscape Design Assistance Program rebates a 2-hour visit with an approved landscape designer.
What is it?
A 2-hour session with a professional landscape designer to receive recommendations on plant choice, layout, and/or irrigation ideas for a selected area of your landscape. You will pay the designer a $200 fee at the time of service and then be reimbursed by EBMUD upon successful completion of your landscape transformation.
Eligibility requirements
Participants must:
- Receive EBMUD approval before contacting a landscape designer.
- Use an approved LDAP-approved landscape designer, listed below.
- Not have utilized the Landscape Design Assistance Program before. Only one LDAP visit may be reimbursed per property.
- Install a minimum 200 sq. ft. waterwise garden using low-water-use plants and/or efficient irrigation.
- Projects must not include: artificial turf, plants that need moderate to frequent watering, invasive plants, landscape fabric, non-permeable paths and patios. See application for full requirements.
How to apply
Review the steps below, watch our video with application instructions, and refer to the Sample Completed Documentation for a detailed list of required photos, screenshots, and receipts needed to receive your rebate(s).
- Step 1. Submit Landscape Design Assistance Application (usually in conjunction with a lawn or drip conversion application) and attach photos of landscape area to be converted. Wait for approval before contacting an approved designer.
- Step 2. After receiving approval, choose an LDAP-approved landscape designer and schedule your 2-hour consultation. We recommend completing the Landscape Design Questionnaire in advance to get the most out of the consultation.
- Step 3. Pay the $200 fee to the landscape designer at the time of service and submit the receipt to EBMUD. Design services outside of the $200, 2-hour visit that are contracted between the participant and designer will not be reimbursed by EBMUD.
- Step 4. Complete landscape transformation to waterwise garden using low-water-use plants and ensuring efficient irrigation within the 9-month deadline.
- Step 5. Submit photos of completed project and receipt to EBMUD to receive your $200 rebate. EBMUD will not reimburse the fee if the participant does not complete their landscape project.
Approved landscape designers
Click here to download list of approved designers. See map for details on area(s).
Please submit application and wait for approval before contacting a designer.
Frequently asked questions
Choose whether you would like to focus on the front, back, or side yard. The design assistance visit will likely cover basic recommendations on plant choice, plant layout, and irrigation ideas for your site.
The visit will be tailored to your needs and your site. We cannot guarentee specific deliverables, rather the designer will work with you to provide the best support within the 2-hour time frame.
The designer is not expected to draw a detailed landscape plan, but should give you ideas to get started with your landscape rebate project.
We recommend completing the Landscape Design Questionnaire, found in the “resources” section below and sharing it with your designer.
Your designer may also request that you sketch a base map of your project area (see "how to draw a base map" below for instructions).
At minimum, think about garden styles you like and desired elements for your new garden. Gather images of gardens you like to show your designer. Also, be ready to discuss your budget and how you plan to complete the project (DIY vs. hiring professionals).
No. The design assistance reimbursement is contingent upon the successful completion of the approved landscape transformation project. If you do not complete the project and install a waterwise garden following rebate requirements, you will not receive reimbursement.
Yes. You are welcome to contract additional services with LDAP approved designers beyond the scope of the EBMUD program if mutually agreeable.
However, any services outside of the 2-hour design assistance are wholly seperate from the EBMUD program. Rates, scope, and terms must be decided between you and the designer directly. No reimbursement will be provided for such additional services.
Our guide to Hiring a Landscape Professional can help you with selecting a professional for additional services.
A waterwise garden is a landscape with low-water-use plants that is irrigated efficiently. Low water use plants only need ocassional (max 1x per week) watering, even during the summer.
To be eligible for the Design Assistance rebate, projects must not include the following:
Commercial customers are eligible for design assistance from one of the approved Landscape Architects on the list.