Cal Am Sacramento Turf Exchange Rebate

Requirements

• Apply and get approval before removing any lawn.
• Mulch the converted area.
• Low-volume drip only, with a pressure regulator, filter and independent shutoff and emitters under 2.0 gph; micro-spray does not qualify. Sprinklers on any remaining lawn must be changed so they do not spray the converted area. No artificial turf.
• A pre-conversion site review and a Water Wise House Call by a Cal Am conservation specialist come before any lawn is removed, with a site plan; work started without Cal Am's approval does not qualify.
• The lawn must be maintained (at least 75% turf, at most 20% weeds and 5% bare) and the bill must show higher warm-season use; dead lawns and conversions required by law do not qualify.
• At least 300 sq ft, or a smaller area that removes the whole front or back lawn of a single-family home.
• At least 50% living plant cover at maturity from low and medium water-use or native plants (half an established tree's canopy counts); a 3 to 4 inch layer of permeable mulch over the whole area.
• Finish within 120 days of the pre-inspection and keep the conversion for 5 years; materials only, with itemized receipts; a W-9 is required and rebates of $600 or more get a 1099.
• Owners, or bill-paying tenants with the owner's written consent; first come, first served until funds run out. Sacramento Conservation Department 916-568-4201.

Steps, in order

1. Apply on California American Water - Sacramento District’s site 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.