Find out how much Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) will pay you to remove your lawn.
Rate
$5/sq ft
Min area
250sq ft
Max rebate
$25kper project
Per tree
$100bonus
Have you removed any grass yet? SoCal Water$mart Turf Replacement Program requires written pre-approval before any work starts — starting early is an automatic disqualification.
You qualify if all of these apply:
You will be disqualified if any of these apply:
Your estimated rebate
Enter your lawn size in Step 2 to see your estimate →
$5/ sq ft
Data verified May 10, 2026. Not affiliated with SWS.
Residential customers receive $5 per square foot — $3 from LADWP plus $2 from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) through the SoCal Water$mart program. The maximum residential project is 5,000 sq ft, so the maximum rebate is $25,000.
You need at least 250 sq ft of living grass. If your entire property has less than 250 sq ft of turf, you must remove all of it — but there's no minimum sq ft floor in that case.
No. Any work started before receiving written pre-approval will result in an automatic denial. The program requires an inspection of your existing turf before you begin.
Yes. All overhead spray sprinklers must be removed from the converted area. Replacement irrigation must be drip, micro-spray, bubblers, rotating nozzles, or hand-watering. This requirement is strictly enforced.
Your project must include at least one stormwater retention or infiltration feature — for example, a rain garden, dry riverbed, swale, berm, rain barrel, or cistern. This is a mandatory element, not optional.
At least 3 plants per 100 sq ft in the converted area. Plants must be in the ground — no potted plants count. Existing trees count as 1 plant; newly planted qualifying trees count as 3 plants each toward this requirement.
No. Artificial or synthetic turf is not an eligible replacement. The program requires water-smart landscaping with in-ground plants, proper mulch, and drip irrigation.
Five years. The converted area must remain compliant with all program requirements for 5 years after approval. LADWP and SoCal Water$mart can inspect at any time during this period.
By check, mailed after your post-installation documentation is reviewed and approved. If the rebate is $600 or more, you must complete a W-9 form and will receive a 1099 for tax purposes. Checks are void 90 days after issue.
Yes, with written consent from the property owner. The renter's name must be on the LADWP water bill, and the owner must sign a consent form authorizing the rebate application.