Monterey Water Lawn Removal / Turf Replacement Rebate

Requirements

• Apply and get approval before removing any lawn.
• Replant with low-water or native plants.
• Mulch the converted area.
• If the converted area is irrigated it must be drip; overhead irrigation is not permitted. Planted areas need at least a three-inch layer of mulch, no bare soil.
• Mail-in application: print the Lawn Rebate Application (Rule 141) and send it with the two most recent years of water records, a labeled diagram of every lawn area with square footages (including lawn that stays), 2 to 3 photos of each area, and a diagram and description of the project, plants and irrigation plan to Rebate Program, P.O. Box 85, Monterey, CA 93942. Phone 831-658-5601.
• Do not remove any lawn until the District's prequalification letter arrives and the pre-inspection is done; lawn removed before that is disqualified. Lawn must be green, mowed and irrigated at the time of application, and the water records must show seasonal irrigation in the past two years.
• Replace with low-water plants or permeable surfaces (mulch, decomposed granite, synthetic turf). Concrete and grouted pavers do not qualify, and the lawn may not be moved elsewhere on the site. If the new area is irrigated it must be drip; overhead irrigation is not permitted. Planted areas need at least three inches of mulch with no bare soil.
• The owner signs a notarized 15-year deed restriction, recorded on the title, that bars re-installing lawn anywhere on the site; otherwise the rebate and associated costs are repaid. A tenant may apply with the owner's written authorization, but the owner signs the deed restriction.
• Finish the project, submit copies of all receipts and schedule a final inspection; everything, including the recorded deed restriction, must be completed within 120 days of the prequalification letter. Payment is subject to available funding.
• The application asks for the property type (single-family, multifamily or non-residential), APN, water company and account number, whether the lawn is on a well, and existing and removed square footage for each yard area.

Steps, in order

1. Apply through your own water supplier (the members are listed on this page) and wait for approval. Lawn removed before approval usually does not qualify.
2. Remove the lawn and plant to the requirements above.
3. Send what the program page asks for once the work is done.