Turf Replacement Rebate Program Terms and Conditions

• Artificial/Synthetic Turf is not eligible for a rebate through this Turf Replacement Program and could void your rebate.
• To receive a reservation for a turf replacement rebate, you must have existing turf. Dead or dying turf or areas with bare dirt will not qualify for a rebate. 
• If your project has already been started or completed, you are not eligible for a rebate. Additionally, projects must not be started prior to the receipt and acknowledgment of this Program’s Letter to Proceed. Do not remove your turf prior to applying or receiving your Letter to Proceed.
• Program funding and participation vary by city and water provider. Please visit the Turf Replacement Home page to find out whether your water provider offers the program in your area. Rebate amounts may vary by water agency and are subject to change at any time.
• Rebate applications must be complete and are subject to verification and review for accuracy, including all necessary documentation. Necessary documentation includes, but is not limited to, pre- and post-project photos, a landscape plan, and a copy of the water bill. Photos that are digitally altered or doctored will not be accepted.
• Your Turf Replacement Project will have mandatory Pre- and Post-Inspections. If the Pre and/or Post-Inspections cannot be scheduled and/or completed, your rebate will not be issued. *Commercial & Public Agency projects: The applicant or a designee must be present for the entire duration of the inspection appointment. It is the responsibility of the applicant or designee to confirm all project areas are measured during the appointment.
  
• A pre-approval is solely an estimate and does not guarantee a rebate. Rebate amounts are subject to change upon verification or inspection. The final rebate is dependent on the eligible, completed project area measured during the post-inspection and will not exceed the approved pre-inspection square footage.
• All approved participants must complete their project within 90 days from the date of their Letter to Proceed. Projects that exceed the deadline or any official extension are at risk of cancellation and losing rebate funding. Please contact the Turf Replacement Program staff if your project will not be ready for a post-inspection within 90 days of the program’s Letter to Proceed date.
• Funding is limited. This offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible Participants only while funding lasts. If funding has been exhausted prior to issuing your rebate check, your project will not receive a rebate.
• Any property with 4 units or less qualifies under the residential program. Any property with 5 units or more qualifies under the commercial program. Applicants may submit one application per meter address per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
  • Residential sites are eligible for an annual (July 1 to June 30) maximum of 5,000 square feet of turf replacement.
  • Commercial sites are eligible for an annual (July 1 to June 30), per meter maximum of 50,000 square feet of turf replacement.
  • Public sites are eligible for an annual (July 1 to June 30), per meter maximum of 200,000 square feet of turf replacement.
    • Commercial and public sites may phase their projects across multiple years. MWDOC does not guarantee funding or that the current level of funding will be available in future years. Commercial and Public sites will need to re-apply for all future year phases, and the application date establishes the year in which the current term and funding levels will be assigned. For purposes of this Program, the Program year begins July 1 and ends June 30.
• All local laws, ordinances, etc., must be followed, including requirements to hire contractors that have valid business licenses. All conversions, including historic sites, are subject to the terms of their local agency’s landscape ordinance and must comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, as well as applicable CC&Rs and/or HOA restrictions.
• MWDOC, your retail water agency and/or their representative will review photos of your landscape prior to, and after being renovated. MWDOC has the right to use those photos for reproduction or promotional purposes. 
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (Metropolitan) and/or Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) reserve the right to verify and perform a second on-site post inspection of any project at any time. This can be before, during, and/or after project completion.
• By participating in the Turf Replacement Rebate Program, you authorize the release of your water consumption history from your water provider.
• Email addresses provided on the application may be used to communicate additional available rebates or programs.
  
• Rebates may be subject to federal taxation. A signed IRS W-9 form will be required for rebates of $2000 or more. The Internal Revenue Service requires program participants receiving $2000 or more in rebates to receive an IRS Form 1099 unless exemptions apply. The entity listed on W-9 form will receive payment and must match other documents submitted with the application in order to issue payment. Municipal Water District of Orange County, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and your local retail water agency are not responsible for any taxes, penalties, or interest that may be imposed in connection with your receipt of any rebate. 

Project Specific Criteria

• The Project area eligible for a rebate is defined as the area with existing turf grass to be removed and where the required program features will be installed. Plants and other elements which are installed outside of the turf grass conversion area will not count towards the program requirements. 
• The Project must have a design component to capture rainfall through infiltration, retention, or on-site storage for reuse. This is called the “Sustainability Feature” of this Program. Project areas without one of these features will not be paid a rebate. The chosen Sustainability Feature must be proportional to the project area. It must be able to capture a significant amount of rainwater that falls during an average rain event and redirect rainwater to reduce runoff onto impervious surfaces. A more detailed description of eligible Sustainability Features can be found on the Sustainability Features Page. They include:
  • Rain Garden
  • Vegetated Swale
  • Dry Riverbed
  • Rock Garden
  • Berm
  • Rain Barrel or Cistern
  • Eligible Tree (Refer to the Eligible Sustainability Feature Trees List)

• A minimum of 250 square feet of turf must be removed and converted to new landscape.
  • Projects less than 250 square feet may qualify if the Project will convert all existing turf grass on the property to a living landscape.
• The irrigation system in the Project area must be modified or converted to a low flow system such as drip irrigation or high efficiency rotating nozzles. If the irrigation system is not replaced with a low-flow system, it must be properly capped off or removed and hand-watered.
  • Irrigation with different flow rates must run on separate valves. No overhead spray sprinklers are allowed in the completed project. If part of a lawn is converted, the sprinkler system must not spray the converted area. Any remaining turf grass adjacent to the project area must be irrigated on a valve separate from the project area’s irrigation valve.
• Project area must have at least 3 plants per 100 square feet planted in the ground at the time of your post inspection. Only new plants installed where turf was removed will count towards the minimum plant requirement. Potted plants will not count towards the minimum plant requirement.
  • To calculate your required plant coverage, divide the square footage of your project by 100 and then multiply that result by 3 and round up. Example: Project area is 890 sq ft. 890/100 = 8.9 x 3 = 26.7, round up to 27 plants. 
  • If the project area is divided into multiple sections, such as a front yard and a back yard, each section must meet the plant minimum requirement based on that section’s square footage. 
  • Trees eligible for the Tree Rebate will count as 3 plants instead of 1 plant.
• Project areas must be covered with at least a 3” layer of mulch (no bare soil allowed). Acceptable mulch includes but is not limited to bark, wood chip, decomposed granite, and river rock. The use of organic materials is recommended. Only organic mulch is acceptable around the base of plants.
  • Bare soil between plants classified as groundcover, which are expected to grow together after planting and cover the entire planted area, does not need to be covered with mulch.
  • The use of any synthetic materials or rubber mulch is not allowed. 
• All plants except spreading groundcovers must have a 3″ ring of organic mulch around them, unless they are part of a functional rock garden, rain garden, vegetated swale, or dry riverbed. Acceptable forms of organic mulch include shredded bark, bark nuggets or wood chips.
  • Projects within a CalFire designated Very High Fire Severity Zone may use inorganic mulch such as rock or decomposed granite in place of organic mulch
• The completed project cannot contain any plants that are or appear to be turf or turf-like and must be free of weeds. 
• Invasive plants such as pampas grass, fountain grass, mexican feathergrass, highway ice plant, periwinkle, and yellow flag iris are NOT allowed to be installed in your project area. Please refer to https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profiles/ for a full list of invasive plants in California that are prohibited from the program.
• Project area must be permeable to air and water.
  • Weed barriers must be permeable. 
  • Project areas covered with concrete, plastic sheeting, structures, or other impermeable surfaces are not eligible for the rebate. Some examples of ineligible built structures include raised patios, decks, and walls.
• Pavers, flagstone, or other like materials may be used but cannot be grouted with cement, concrete or other impermeable material, and must have a minimum of 2 inches of spacing between pavers. Paver dimensions are recommended to be no larger than 2 feet by 2 feet and must not exceed 3 feet by 3 feet to be eligible.
• Project areas converted to swimming pools/Jacuzzis, ponds, fountains, or other water containing fixtures do not qualify.
• Project area must remain in compliance with all Program conditions for a period of fifteen (15) years. This includes the Sustainability Feature and quantity of plants components. If this requirement is violated, you may be required to refund all or a portion of the rebate. This requirement to maintain Program conditions is not binding on successor/subsequent owners.
• Rebate amount will not exceed eligible program costs. Invoices and/or receipts are used to calculate your final rebate.
  • Invoices must be typed and include:
    • Clearly marked as an “Invoice”
    • The name of the company or contractor providing the service
    • A date when the work was performed or invoice was issued
    • The customer’s address where the work was performed and/or materials delivered
    • A description of the work performed and/or materials delivered
    • Any items that are ineligible for reimbursement must be itemized separately from eligible items
    • A dollar amount for the total invoice cost
  • Receipts must be typed and include:
    • The name of the company providing the materials
    • A date when the transaction occurred
    • A description of the materials purchased
    • Any items that are ineligible for reimbursement must be itemized separately from eligible items
    • A dollar amount for the total receipt charge
• Applicants are welcome to do the work themselves; however, applicant labor will not be eligible for reimbursement. We encourage working with a C-27 License Landscaping Contractor whenever possible.

(Optional) Tree Rebate Terms and Conditions

Turf Replacement participants may be eligible to receive $100 per new tree installed as part of a Turf Replacement project. Participation in the Tree Rebate is voluntary, and additional terms apply to qualify for the Tree Rebate:

• Maximum of 5 trees ($500) per application per fiscal year.
• Trees must be installed within the Turf Replacement project area in order to qualify. Existing trees are not eligible for the rebate.
• Newly installed trees must meet a minimum size of 15 gallons.
• Trees must be expected to grow at least 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide canopy at maturity. The minimum mature size qualification is waived for edible fruit trees.
• Fruit trees are eligible for a rebate for residential projects only.
• Woody plants such as shrubs, arborescent shrubs not pruned as trees, or plants used to create hedges or other closely planted buffers or thick borders are not eligible. Specimens bred or pruned to maintain an artificially reduced canopy such as topiary, espaliered, pollarded specimens, and small weeping varieties are also not eligible.
• Trees listed on the Tree Exclusion List on the program website are not eligible for a rebate. The exclusion list is subject to change at any time.
• Receipts/invoices for eligible trees are required. The receipt must include size and species of each tree. Third party receipts or invoices are not allowed (i.e. contractor or landscaper purchase receipts). In cases where a contractor/landscaper provided the tree, their invoice to you is required and it also must detail the species and size of eligible trees.
• The installation of each new eligible tree in the turf replacement project area will count as three plants towards the total turf replacement project plant count requirement.
• Trees must be appropriately planted with consideration to other trees, hardscape, powerlines, and any other potential site conditions.
• Program participant is responsible for complying with all applicable laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations as indicated by the City in which the project takes place, including obtaining a permit or waiver for the conversion if applicable. If planting a tree in your parkway, please contact your City to confirm any requirements and restrictions.

(Optional) Landscape Design Rebate Terms and Conditions

Residential Turf Replacement participants may be eligible to receive a Landscape Design Rebate as part of a Turf Replacement project. Participation in the Landscape Design Rebate is voluntary, and additional terms apply to qualify for the Landscape Design Rebate:

• Participants must successfully complete their Turf Replacement Project to receive the Landscape Design Rebate.
• Design must include the front yard of the residential property. Properties without front yards may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Participant must purchase a design from a designer on the Designers List or other licensed landscape professional, and the Design must meet the Rebate Eligible Design Requirements and the Turf Replacement Program requirements as posted on the Program website.
• Rebate amount will not exceed eligible design costs. Participant must provide an invoice/receipt from the landscape professional that includes the cost of design, project address, description of work, date, and service provider’s name.
• All local laws, ordinances, etc., must be followed, including requirements to hire contractors that have valid business licenses. All conversions, including historic sites, are subject to the terms of their local agency’s landscape ordinance and must comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, as well as applicable CC&Rs and/or HOA restrictions.
• Participant agrees to waive, release, relinquish and discharge MWODC, its officials and employees from all liability, loss, claims, demands, causes of action, and damage arising out of Participants’ participation in this Program.

DISCLAIMER OF ENDORSEMENT: Inclusion of any designer in the Designers List does not constitute an endorsement by MWDOC. This list is not representative of the only landscape professionals that are able to provide this type of work. MWDOC is not responsible or liable for any services provided by these designers or the outcomes of any projects undertaken with them. It is the Participant’s responsibility to request current proof of insurance, bond and license, and to obtain any other relevant information about any designer.

RELEASE OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNIFICATION

Neither the Municipal Water District of Orange County, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the California Department of Water Resources, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, your retail water agency, or their contractors or agents makes any representation or warranty regarding the contracted services or products that you may select for your Project under this Program. Removal of turf and installation of water efficient devices and plants does not guarantee reduced water use.

This Rebate Application and all of the personal information listed in it is a public record and will be made available to any member of the public who requests it.  By signing this Application, Applicant acknowledges that Applicant has no privacy expectation to this information and waives any claim to such.

By participating in the Program and accepting the rebates provided, you thereby release the Municipal Water District of Orange County, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the California Department of Water Resources, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, your retail water agency, or their contractors or agents from any and all claims and causes of action that may arise out of your removal of turf from your property and/or the purchase, installation, and/or use of water efficient devices in connection with this Program. Any and all claims or causes of action you may have in connection with any defect or failure of performance of any contracted service or installed product or device provided to you for your Project may only be pursued with the contractor you hired or the appropriate manufacturer/distributor.

The Municipal Water District of Orange County, your retail water agency, and/or their representative will take photos of landscapes being renovated through this Program. Photos and landscape design plans may be used for reproduction or promotional purposes. Identifying location features, such as address numbers, will not be included in any promotional materials.

The Municipal Water District of Orange County, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and your retail water agency are responsible for operating and enforcing the terms and conditions of the Program. You, as the Program Participant, are responsible for ensuring that your Project complies with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, as well as applicable CC&Rs and/or HOA restrictions. Quality of work and appearance of the converted area are the responsibility of the Participant.

Further, you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Municipal Water District of Orange County, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the California Department of Water Resources, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, your retail water agency, or their contractors or agents from all liability and claims of any kind arising out of or related to your removal of turf and purchase, installation, and use of water efficient devices in connection with this Program.