Lawn conversion rebate

Conversion Method

1. Convert lawn through sheet mulching to improve soil and plant health and reduce your yard waste, OR
2. Physically remove lawn.

Plants

1. Must cover at least 50% of the converted area once fully grown.
2. Must be climate-appropriate, low-water-use plants that require little to no irrigation once established. Check plant eligibility in our plant database.
3. No artificial turf or low-water turf (e.g., buffalo grass) allowed.

Irrigation

1. Sprinklers must be removed, capped, or converted to drip (how to video).
2. If installing drip, include a pressure regulator and filter installed per manufacturer directions.
3. Plants with different water requirements (e.g., trees, vegetable gardens) must be grouped into separate irrigation zones to ensure that plants are not overwatered.

Materials

1. A minimum of 3 inches of mulch is required in planted areas and over exposed soil.
2. No non-biodegradable weed barriers (e.g. landscape fabric, weed cloth, or plastic).
3. Only permeable hardscape: any patios and walkways made of pavers or bricks should be set in a bed of sand, gravel, or decomposed granite, that allow water to pass through.

All standard lawn conversion rebate requirements (listed above) apply to the super rebate. Additional super rebate requirements are as follows:

1. Convert existing lawn by sheet mulching in place with cardboard rather than physically removing the lawn. Mulch must be plant based (not rock/gravel).
2. Apply a minimum ½-inch layer of compost in planted areas.
3. Majority of plants must be CA natives. All plants must be low water use.
4. Plants must be installed between September and February (cool, rainy season). *Rebate deadline will account for planting window.

EBMUD encourages these four super rebate best practices to promote additional water conservation and environmental benefits.

• Sheet mulching, the process of layering cardboard and mulch on top of existing grass to compost it in place, improves soil quality and reduces landfill waste.
• Applying compost further encourages healthy soil and helps to increase the water holding capacity of soil.
• CA native plants are adapted to our dry summers. Once established, many CA native plants need minimal supplemental irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Additionally, CA native plants help to support local wildlife and increase biodiversity.
• Planting in the fall and winter allows new plants to utilize natural rainfall for establishment, thus requiring less initial irrigation.

No, the lawn conversion program is intended to incentivize the conversion of existing lawns and is not retroactive. Projects that have been started or completed without formal EBMUD pre-approval are not eligible.

Lawn conversion rebate projects are given a six-month deadline after EBMUD pre-approval. Super rebate deadlines will account for the required planting window and thus may be longer than six months.

If you cannot meet your project deadline, or would like to wait to plant in the cool season, please reach out to the staff member who approved your application before the deadline passes. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

All rebates that, individually or in combination, total $600 or more in a tax year require submittal of a W-9 form to the District prior to payment. All personal information provided within the W-9 is kept confidential in accordance with the Privacy Act.

If your total rebate amount is $600 or more, you will receive a 1099 form to comply with Internal Revenue Service requirements. The determination of whether your rebate is taxable may depend on several variables. It is recommended that contact your tax professional.

During any 24-month period, the combined rebate amount provided by EBMUD may not exceed $2,000 for residential and small multi-family properties (4 units or less), and $15,000 for commercial and large multi-family properties (5+ units). You may apply for an additional rebate amount after the 24-month period has elapsed.

Our rebate programs have expiration dates to allow us to make modifications as needed. Unless designated as a pilot on our website, most of our rebate programs will continue beyond the expiration date listed on the application.

Super rebate applications are accepted year round. We encourage applying early to maximize water savings and to get a head start on preparing for fall/winter planting. All aspects of the project besides planting can be completed outside of the "cool season" window. Super rebate deadlines will allow time to meet the planting window requirement regardless of when the initial application is received.