Lawn replacement and drought-tolerant landscaping: rebates and cost
For Silicon Valley homes · Updated October 2026 · Sources below
Valley Water pays $2 per square foot to replace lawn with water-wise landscaping in Santa Clara County, up to $3,000 for most homes. The catch: you must get a pre-inspection and written approval before you remove any grass - projects started early don't qualify.
The short version
- Valley Water rebate: $2 per square foot of lawn converted
- Cap for single-family homes: $3,000 (up to $6,000 in cost-sharing areas)
- Pre-inspection and approval BEFORE any work - then 90 days to finish
- Program funded through June 30, 2027 or until funds run out
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What it costs
- Xeriscaping (drought-tolerant landscaping)$5,000 - $24,000 (average $17,000)
- Per square foot$5 - $20
Area, hardscape like paths and patios, plant sizes and irrigation changes drive the price. The Valley Water rebate can offset part of it.
Typical ranges from published cost guides - mostly national figures. Bay Area prices usually run higher. Your actual price depends on your home and the job, and a pro gives you the real number. Source: HomeAdvisor cost guide (national) (Jun 2026). Have a quote? Check it with the Quote Explainer
How to do it in the right order
- 1. Apply to Valley Water's Landscape Rebate Program and schedule the pre-inspection - before you touch the lawn or buy materials.
- 2. After the pre-inspection, submit your plant list and wait for the written Notice to Proceed.
- 3. Remove the lawn, plant from the qualifying plant list, mulch, and switch spray heads to drip where you can.
- 4. Finish within 90 days of the Notice to Proceed and submit for your rebate.
In Silicon Valley
- Valley Water's Landscape Conversion Rebate pays a base rate of $2 per square foot for replacing lawn (or a pool) with water-wise landscaping.
- Rebate caps for single-family homes and multi-family up to 4 units: $3,000 by default, up to $6,000 where cost-sharing applies. The cap covers the landscape and irrigation equipment rebates combined.
- You must complete a pre-inspection and get approval before starting work; projects started or finished before approval are not eligible. The written Notice to Proceed gives you 90 days to finish.
- Valley Water also offers rebates for converting overhead sprinklers to in-line drip and for upgrades like weather-based irrigation controllers and rain sensors. Funding runs through June 30, 2027 or until depleted.
Questions homeowners ask
How much does Valley Water pay to remove my lawn?
The base rate is $2 per square foot of lawn converted to water-wise landscaping. Most single-family homes can get up to $3,000, or up to $6,000 where a city shares the cost. Check the program page for current rates before you start.
Can I remove my lawn first and apply for the rebate later?
No. Valley Water requires a pre-inspection and approval before any work begins, and projects started before approval don't qualify. Wait for the written Notice to Proceed.
What can I replace my lawn with?
Water-wise plants from Valley Water's qualifying plant list, mulch, and permeable paths are common choices. Many homeowners keep a small patch of usable lawn and convert the rest. A landscaper can design a mix that fits your sun, soil and use.
How much does drought-tolerant landscaping cost?
HomeAdvisor's national guide puts xeriscaping at about $5 to $20 per square foot, or roughly $5,000 to $24,000 for a typical project. Bay Area prices usually run higher, and the Valley Water rebate can cover part of it.
Do I need to change my sprinklers?
Often, yes - drip puts water at the roots of shrubs and beds instead of spraying it. Valley Water offers separate rebates for converting overhead sprinklers to in-line drip and for smart irrigation controllers.
Rebates: Replace your lawn
- Valley Water Landscape Rebate Program
Rebate programs change often and money runs out. Amounts are from each program's page as of Oct 2026 - always confirm on the program page, and check whether you must apply before you buy or install.
See the rebates for your ZIPSave with your neighbors
Yard cleanup & brush clearing is a job neighbors team up on: one pro, one trip down your street, a group price the pro sets. Three homes start it.
Start or join a Neighborhood Block DealQuestions to ask the pro
- Have you done Valley Water rebate projects before, and will you help with the paperwork?
- Can you wait to start until I have the Notice to Proceed?
- Which plants from the qualifying list fit my yard's sun and soil?
- How will you remove the lawn - and haul it away?
- Will you convert my sprinklers to drip, and is that in the price?
Before you sign, check the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov. How to hire a contractor in California
Need a landscaper?
Tell us about the job in 2 minutes - free. We send it to one local pro at a time, never a crowd.
Related answers
Sources
General information for Silicon Valley homeowners, not professional advice for your home. Rules and programs change - check the source, and have a licensed pro look at your situation.