Residential Grass-to-Xeriscape and Tree Bonus Incentive Program
Replace a Lawn With a Water-Wise Yard.
- Run by
- City of Mesa Environmental and Sustainability Department
- Service area
- Current owner of a single-family home receiving metered City of Mesa potable water.
Program at a glance
- Benefit
- Currently advertised base maximum: $2,100.00. Temporary doubled schedule waitlisted: $2,000.00 for 500-999 square feet before tree bonus, $3,000.00 for 1000-1499 square feet before tree bonus, $4,000.00 for 1500 square feet or more before tree bonus, up to $200.00 for two qualifying trees.
- Who
- Current owner of a single-family home receiving metered City of Mesa potable water.
- Where
- Current owner of a single-family home receiving metered City of Mesa potable water.
- Qualifying project
- Replace a Lawn With a Water-Wise Yard.
Quick check
Do the main rules appear to fit?
Your answers stay in this page session. The program makes the final decision.
Answer each question for a cautious result.
The rules remain visible here even if the interactive check is unavailable.
The finished result
What project qualifies?
Living turf is replaced with an approved planted landscape that uses less water and remains permeable.
Living turf is replaced with an approved planted landscape that uses less water and remains permeable.
Replace a Lawn With a Water-Wise Yard
Living turf is replaced with an approved planted landscape that uses less water and remains permeable.
See the full project guide →What the project may require
A product can be one part of the work. The approved project, timing, design, and proof control.
Complete the approved property project
requiredCreates the finished outcome the program supports.
Replace a Lawn With a Water-Wise Yard.
Official path: official page
How to apply or check the program
- 1
Confirm the property
Verify the service area, account, ownership, applicant, and property type with City of Mesa Environmental and Sustainability Department.
- 2
Open the current official program source
Use the official program link below.
- 3
Collect the before-project evidence
Questionnaire and application. Current photographs. Aerial/online measurement review.
- 4
Get approval when required
Get written approval before removing, buying, signing, or installing anything the program treats as project work.
- 5
Complete only the approved scope
Keep design changes and material substitutions in writing.
- 6
Submit the completion package
Final photos or in-person inspection. Signed W-9.
Details to confirm
- New applicants are not guaranteed the doubled sponsor-funded amount.
- Grass must be at least 70% healthy at initial review.
- Rock-only and artificial-turf-only projects fail the 50% canopy rule.
Examples that do not qualify
- Buying gravel, soil, mulch, or another product by itself does not create eligibility.
Questions people ask
Is this a rebate for buying gravel or another material?
No. The program supports the qualifying property project described above. A material purchase matters only when it serves the approved design and follows the program’s payment rules.
Can I start before applying?
Get written approval before removing, buying, signing, or installing anything the program treats as project work.
Does appearing eligible guarantee funding?
No. Current status, funding, ranking, inspection, and final approval can still affect the outcome.
Who decides whether a material substitution qualifies?
The program or its designated designer. Ask City of Mesa Environmental and Sustainability Department to approve the exact substitute in writing before ordering.
Last verified 8/11/26
Official sources
Use these official sources for current rules, availability, and application details.
- Residential Grass-to-Xeriscape and Tree Bonus Incentive Program official source 1 — mesaaz.gov
- Residential Grass-to-Xeriscape and Tree Bonus Incentive Program official source 2 — mesaaz.gov
More programs to check
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Xeriscape Rebate
$3.00 per square foot of qualifying high water use turf removed.
Austin Water WaterWise Landscape Rebate
$100 per 100 square feet; 200-square-foot minimum; up to $3,000 residential lifetime maximum.
Cash for Grass Lawn Replacement Program
Standard: $2.18 per square foot. Best practices: $3.68 per square foot. Best practices with disconnected downspout: $4.68 per square foot.