📍 San Diego, CASoCal Water$mart Turf Replacement ProgramFunding open · 2026

San Diego Turf
Rebate Calculator

Find out how much City of San Diego Public Utilities / SoCal Water$mart will pay you to remove your lawn.

Rate

$2/sq ft

Min area

250sq ft

Max rebate

$10kper project

Complete by

180days

Eligibility

Your details

Your estimate

Pre-approval required — SoCal Water$mart Turf Replacement Program requires written approval before any work starts. Starting early is an automatic disqualification.

You qualify if all of these apply:

City of San Diego Public Utilities water customer (utility account in your name)
250+ sq ft of living grass — dead or dying turf does not qualify
3+ plants per 100 sq ft in the converted area (in-ground only, no pots)
Convert to drip, micro-spray, bubblers, or hand-watering — no overhead sprinklers
Include at least one stormwater retention feature (rain garden, dry riverbed, rain barrel, swale, or berm)
3-inch mulch around all plants; all bare soil covered
No synthetic turf, concrete, or impermeable hardscape in the project area
You have not started any work yet — pre-approval required before touching the lawn

You will be disqualified if any of these apply:

Started work before receiving written pre-approval
Replaced turf with synthetic/artificial grass
Used overhead spray sprinklers in the converted area instead of drip or micro-spray
Did not include a stormwater retention feature
Fewer than 3 plants per 100 sq ft in the converted area
Installed impermeable hardscape (concrete, grouted pavers) within the project area
Did not cover all bare soil with 3-inch mulch layer

Already know you qualify? Skip to application →

Not sure? More info at City of San Diego Public Utilities / SoCal Water$mart →

Your estimated rebate

Enter your lawn size in Step 2 to see your estimate →

$2/ sq ft

Rate: $2/sq ft
Min area: 250sq ft
Max rebate: $10kper project
Complete by: 180days

Timeline

Pre-project application submitted: Day 0
Approval to Proceed: ~2 weeks
Completion deadline: 180 days from approval
Post-project application submitted: When complete
Rebate check mailed: 8–10 weeks after approval

Data verified May 10, 2026. Not affiliated with SWS.

Frequently asked questions

How much does San Diego pay for turf replacement in 2026?▾

City of San Diego residents receive $2 per square foot through SoCal Water$mart's MWD-funded program. The maximum residential project is 5,000 sq ft, so the maximum rebate is $10,000 — plus up to $500 if you plant qualifying trees.

Why is San Diego's rate lower than Los Angeles?▾

LADWP adds its own $3/sq ft on top of MWD's $2/sq ft base, bringing LA customers to $5/sq ft. The City of San Diego does not currently add a supplemental. (If you live in unincorporated San Diego County — not the city — and are served by Helix, Otay, or another SDCWA member agency, you may qualify for higher rates through the County Waterscape program.)

What is the minimum lawn size to qualify?▾

You need at least 250 sq ft of living grass. If your entire property has less than 250 sq ft, you must remove all of it — but there's no minimum sq ft floor in that case.

Can I start removing my lawn before getting approved?▾

No. Any work started before receiving written pre-approval will result in an automatic denial. You must have an Approval to Proceed before touching the lawn.

Do I have to install drip irrigation?▾

Yes. All overhead spray sprinklers must be removed from the converted area. Replacement irrigation must be drip, micro-spray, bubblers, or hand-watering.

What is the stormwater retention requirement?▾

Your project must include at least one stormwater retention or infiltration feature — a rain garden, dry riverbed, swale, berm, rain barrel, or cistern. This is mandatory, not optional.

How is the rebate paid?▾

By check, mailed approximately 8–10 weeks after your post-project application is approved. If the rebate is $600 or more, you'll need to submit a W-9 and will receive a 1099.