As of September 2026, Austin Water (WaterWise Landscape, up to $3,000) and SAWS (WaterSaver Landscape Coupons, $150 each for Fall 2026, plus Outdoor Living and irrigation-removal rebates) run the main turf-conversion incentives; El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston offer irrigation or rainwater incentives but no turf-replacement rebate.
Get pre-approval before you remove any grass. Programs pay for converting living, irrigated lawn. Most require photos or an inspection first, and grass removed early usually doesn't qualify.
Full system removal: $500 (non-functional) or $1,650-$4,150 by zone count (functional); zone removal $350/zone; pressure-regulated heads $100/zone; master valve $200
$150 WaterSense controller; $200 spray-to-drip/bubbler zone conversion; $200 rotary-nozzle conversion; $600 split zone into bed/turf zones; plus 50% of outsourced labor
$3,000 combined lifetime
Status unverified
Program details
WaterWise Landscape Rebate
Austin Water
OpenLawn replacement
Amount
Not published — check the program page
Cap
Up to $3,000
Austin Water publishes the cap (up to $3,000) but not a per-square-foot rate on its live pages.
Austin Water customers (or customers of listed qualifying providers)
Approval from Austin Water required before any work
At least 75% of conversion area must be healthy turf grass; dead lawns don't qualify; site visit may be required
All 7 requirements
Native/adaptive plants with over 50% plant cover at maturity
Planting only in spring/fall installation windows
Spray irrigation in converted area capped or converted to drip
Residential: gravel path up to 3 ft wide and gravel/stone patio up to 200 sq ft allowed; artificial turf and permeable concrete ineligible
Who qualifies: Austin Water service area (plus listed participating providers)
Full system removal: $500 (non-functional) or $1,650-$4,150 by zone count (functional); zone removal $350/zone; pressure-regulated heads $100/zone; master valve $200
Cap
Up to $5,000
SAWS residential customers making permanent irrigation changes
Irrigation Consultation required BEFORE any work (210-704-7283)
Offer valid 12 months; 10% bonus if finished and final inspection scheduled within 90 days
$150 WaterSense controller; $200 spray-to-drip/bubbler zone conversion; $200 rotary-nozzle conversion; $600 split zone into bed/turf zones; plus 50% of outsourced labor
Cap
$3,000 combined lifetime
Pilot for pre-selected homes; Dallas says open enrollment comes next fiscal year.
Existing single-family DWU customers who own the property
Existing, functioning in-ground irrigation system (upgrades only, no new systems)
Irrigation System Evaluation required first; no previously performed work
All 4 requirements
Drip zones need pressure regulation, filter, etc.
Who qualifies: Dallas Water Utilities single-family customers
Confirm who supplies your water. Rebates follow the water bill, not the city name on your address. Find the utility on your bill, then open its program page from the list above.
Apply before you touch the grass. Submit photos of the living, irrigated lawn and wait for written approval, a site visit, or a Notice to Proceed.
Design to the program's rules. Most require a minimum area, plant coverage at maturity, drip or no irrigation in the converted area, and a mulch layer. Many prohibit plastic sheeting and artificial turf.
Finish within the deadline. Programs set completion windows. Keep receipts and take after photos.
Pass the final inspection and get paid. Payment arrives as a check or a bill credit, usually within one to three billing cycles.
Good to know in Texas
Texas Property Code Sec. 202.007 bars a property owners' association from prohibiting or restricting drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf, rain barrels/rainwater harvesting, efficient (drip) irrigation, or composting; HOAs may still regulate gravel, rocks or cacti and certain placement/aesthetic details. Source
SAWS says San Antonio customers with irrigation systems use 70 percent more water on average in summer and 50 percent more annually than customers without them. Source
Austin Water estimates converting a 500-square-foot turf area (about 1,240 gallons/month) could save up to 930 gallons per month. Source
What turf replacement rebates are available in Texas in 2026?
As of September 2026, Austin Water (WaterWise Landscape, up to $3,000) and SAWS (WaterSaver Landscape Coupons, $150 each for Fall 2026, plus Outdoor Living and irrigation-removal rebates) run the main turf-conversion incentives; El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston offer irrigation or rainwater incentives but no turf-replacement rebate.
How much do Texas lawn-replacement rebates pay?
WaterWise Landscape Rebate (Austin Water): amount not published; cap Up to $3,000. WaterSaver Landscape Coupon (San Antonio Water System (SAWS)): $150 per Fall coupon toward 15 approved plants (Spring 2027 coupons: $125); cap Up to four coupons per application window (i.e., up to $600 in Fall 2026). Outdoor Living Rebate (San Antonio Water System (SAWS)): $300 to $1,000; cap $1,000. Figures as published by each agency, verified September 2026.
Do I need approval before removing my lawn?
Yes, in almost every case. 3 of the 3 lawn-replacement programs we track in Texas require approval, a site visit, or a Notice to Proceed before any grass is removed. Take dated photos of your living lawn before you start.
Which Texas programs are closed or paused right now?
Residential Irrigation Rebate Program (pilot) (Dallas Water Utilities): Status unverified. Pilot for pre-selected homes; Dallas says open enrollment comes next fiscal year.
Verified September 2026 from each agency's program page. Programs change and funds run out; confirm the current amount on the official page before you start.
