Water utilities across the West pay homeowners to replace thirsty lawn with water-wise landscaping. We checked 58 programs in 10 states against each agency's own page, including the ones that are paused or full, so you know where you stand.
Get pre-approval before you remove any grass. Nearly every lawn-replacement program requires photos or an inspection of your living lawn before work starts. Kill or dig it first and you usually lose the rebate.
Arizona: 5 open lawn-replacement programs
As of September 2026, Phoenix ($2/sq ft), Scottsdale ($2/sq ft up to $5,000, 2026-27 window July 8-Oct 31, 2026), Mesa (up to $2,100), Chandler ($1.50/sq ft up to $2,000) and Glendale ($1/sq ft up to $3,000) offer residential grass-removal incentives, nearly all requiring approval before removal. Tucson Water currently lists no single-family grass-removal rebate (only rainwater harvesting and gray water for homes; turf removal is commercial/multifamily only).
Grass to Xeriscape Rebate (Single Family Grass Removal Rebate Program)
City of Chandler Public Works & Utilities - Water Conservation
OpenLawn replacement
Amount
$1.50 per sq ft of grass converted to xeriscape
Cap
$2,000 per property
Rate reduced Jan 1, 2026 (was $2.00/sq ft, $3,000 max).
Chandler property owner with active Chandler water account; flood-irrigated areas ineligible
Notice to Proceed (pre-approval) required before removing grass; completed projects not eligible
Minimum 500 sq ft of existing living grass (may be waived if all remaining grass is removed)
All 7 requirements
Plants from ADWR Phoenix AMA Low-Water-Use/Drought-Tolerant Plant List providing at least 50% plant canopy coverage at maturity
Inorganic or organic top dressing; granite at least 2 inches deep
Artificial turf areas do not qualify; new construction ineligible
W-9 required if rebate exceeds $599
Who qualifies: City of Chandler water customers (single-family)
2026–27 window: July 8 – Oct 31, 2026, per the current application form (a banner on the web page is out of date).
Scottsdale Water customers; applicant must be current property owner
Pre-inspection and Notice to Proceed required by ordinance before removing any grass
Minimum 500 sq ft (waived if all remaining grass on the property is removed)
All 9 requirements
Grass must be growing at minimum 50% density
No bare dirt; granite/top dressing at least 2 inches deep; no plastic sheeting
Sprinkler heads removed or converted to drip and zoned separately from remaining grass
Artificial turf optional but limited to 1,000 sq ft
Projects over 1,000 sq ft need Arizona-friendly plants from ADWR low-water-use list with 25% minimum mature canopy coverage (calculated on area above 1,000 sq ft)
No fountains, pools, spas or high-water-use plants in removal area
Who qualifies: Scottsdale Water service area (single-family residential)
Direct roof runoff: $1.00/gallon (meets 1-inch rainfall requirement) or $0.50/gallon; indirect runoff: $0.50/gallon; streetside basins $0.50-$1.00/gallon; optional Treebate $50 first tree + $49 second
Cap
$1,999 per property ($1,900 storage + $99 Treebate)
Single-family residential or small commercial (5/8-inch meter) Tucson Water customers
Required workshop through Watershed Management Group
Site plan pre-approval before installation
All 5 requirements
Install within one year; site inspection; submit receipts and W-9
Programs change often, and funding can run out mid-season. Always confirm the current amount on the official program page before you plan. Know a program we're missing? Tell us.
