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ActiveLast verified 8/11/26

SoCal WaterSmart Turf Replacement Program

The program may support one of these project types: Replace a Lawn With a Water-Wise Yard or Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard.

Run by
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Service area
Participating retail-agency customers within Metropolitan's service area in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. Eligibility must be checked by water agency/address.

Program at a glance

Benefit
$2 per square foot.
Who
Participating retail-agency customers within Metropolitan's service area in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. Eligibility must be checked by water agency/address.
Where
Participating retail-agency customers within Metropolitan's service area in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. Eligibility must be checked by water agency/address.
Qualifying project
The program may support one of these project types: Replace a Lawn With a Water-Wise Yard or Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard.

Quick check

Do the main rules appear to fit?

Your answers stay in this page session. The program makes the final decision.

1. Is the property in the official service area or account group?

A city mailing address may not match a utility or watershed boundary.

2. Does the property need one of the approved project routes listed above?
3. Have you checked the approval rule before buying or starting work?

Many programs need before photos, an inspection, or written approval.

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?

This program may support more than one approved project route. The program’s plan and written decision control which route applies to the property.

Living turf is replaced with an approved planted landscape that uses less water and remains permeable. An approved planted feature slows, stores, filters, or infiltrates runoff on the property.

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 →

Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard

An approved planted feature slows, stores, filters, or infiltrates runoff on the property.

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

required

Creates the finished outcome the program supports.

The program may support one of these project types: Replace a Lawn With a Water-Wise Yard or Build a Rain Garden, Bioswale, or Runoff-Management Yard.

Official path: official page

How to apply or check the program

  1. 1

    Confirm the property

    Verify the service area, account, ownership, applicant, and property type with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

  2. 2

    Open the current official program source

    Use the official program link below.

  3. 3

    Collect the before-project evidence

    Existing-turf photos. Utility/account and project-area information. Measurements and proposed landscape information.

  4. 4

    Get approval when required

    Get written approval before removing, buying, signing, or installing anything the program treats as project work.

  5. 5

    Complete only the approved scope

    Keep design changes and material substitutions in writing.

  6. 6

    Submit the completion package

    Completion claim and photos.

Open the official program

Details to confirm

  • The regional $2 rate is not the final rate in every retail agency.
  • Starting before the reservation disqualifies the project.

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 Metropolitan Water District of Southern California 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.

Report a change or missing program

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