Turf Replacement Rebate Terms, Conditions & Eligibility

LANDSCAPE-SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. 1. Turf may be living or dead at the time of application for a reservation. Evidence of previous lawn such as existing turf, borders, remnants of turf, or existing operational turf irrigation systems may also be acceptable. Bare earth areas with no sign of turf are not eligible
   2. The turf, or evidence of previous turf must still be in place at the time of reservation approval for the rebate to be approved.
   3. This program does not specify the method of turf removal.
   4. The rebated portion of the converted landscape must include plants in a minimum of 25% of the converted area at maturity.
   5. The rebated portion of the converted landscapes may only include low water use, drought-tolerant or California native plants. Turf-looking grass may be incorporated if they are being used as plants with ample space between each plant. Turf-looking grass may not be used as an alternative lawn or in such a way that the plants are planted so close to each other that they resemble lawn. You may make your selection of plants from the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species list (http://ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS/), or you can visit your local nursery for a plant list.
   6. One exception is that the rebated portion of the converted landscape may also include food-producing trees, shrubs, vines and perennial plants.
   7. At least one tree, existing or new, must be incorporated into the converted landscape.
   8. Ca native sedges or similar low water using Ca native vegetation is encouraged.
   9. Requires drip irrigation, micro-spray irrigation or hand watering.
   10. Have all exposed soil surfaces covered with approved mulch. Approved mulch types are organic material, rock, rubber bark or decomposed granite. Organic materials which are impermanent or cannot be maintained long-term are not allowed. No more than 25% of the converted area may have decomposed granite or rubber bark soil coverage. Synthetic turf is not allowed in the rebated portion of the converted landscape.
   11. Impervious decks or patios are not allowed as part of the rebated converted landscape.
   12. Structures such as outbuildings or sheds are not allowed as part of the rebated footage of the converted landscape.
   13. Paving stones, pavers and brick patios are permitted but must be filled with loose material. No concrete or impermeable grouting may be used to affix the pavers in place.
   14. Turf replacement and landscape conversion must be completed within 120 days of application approval.

PROCESS-RELATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The State rebates will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis.
2. The most recent water bill for the property must be submitted as proof of service within the designated area. If the property solely uses well water, an energy bill may be submitted.
3. 50 percent of funding will go to applicants in disadvantaged communities in high- and medium-priority groundwater basins.
4. The State program will rebate $2 per square foot of turf removed, with a cap of 1,000 square feet, for a maximum rebate of $2,000 per household to applicants who reside in the service area of agencies that have not offered turf rebate programs.
5. Applicants residing in service areas of agencies that are offering a turf rebate less than $2 per square foot may apply to the State program but may receive no more than a total of $2 per square foot of combined rebate. A combined rebate would be the total offered by any other agency, plus the State program, to total no more than $2 per square foot.
6. The total rebate offered per square foot combined cannot exceed $2 per square foot, and is offered up to $2,000 based on a total amount offered by The State of 1,000 square feet. If the local agency allows less footage, the total rebate may be less than $2,000 in total rebate funding.
7. A customer may apply for up to 1,000 sq. ft. total of turf removal for their project, on a single submitted application. Additional applications for footage up to the maximum allowed footage are not allowed.
8. Applicants residing in the service area of agencies that have had turf rebate programs in 2014 or 2015 that offered $2 per square foot or more are not eligible regardless of whether or not applicant received any funds.
9. Applicants are required to self-declare whether they are located in the service area of agencies that are offering a turf rebate of less than $2 per square foot and the amount of rebate per square foot the applicant is seeking from their local agency.
10. Participation in the program requires that the terms and conditions for turf replacement are met. If these requirements are not met, the rebate will be denied.
11. Submissions of altered photographs are considered a fraudulent use of the program and will result in application disqualification. Photos of yards that have been digitally or otherwise altered, enhanced, embellished or filtered will render an application ineligible.
12. A contractor-direct rebate option is available in some localities. Certified contractors may submit an application on behalf of the applicant with the applicant’s written approval. The rebate will be paid directly to the contractor upon approval.
13. The Save Our Water Program and the Department of Water Resources make no representation or warranty relating to turf replacement, including any hazardous substances that may be contained in the conversion materials.
14. Applicant waives and releases the Save Our Water Program, the Department of Water Resources and their contractors or agents from any and all claims and causes of action arising out of the turf removal and re-landscaping.
15. The program is consistent with California bond law, including an anticipated useful life of 15 years for all activities funded under this program.