Tucson Water Grass Removal Rebate: What It Pays and How to Get It
Tucson Water pays $5 per square foot, up to $1,000, for removing live grass. Here's exactly what qualifies, what doesn't, and how the rebate interacts with an artificial grass install.
Program availability changes. Confirm current residential eligibility with Tucson Water Conservation before scheduling a project: (520) 791-3242. This guide reflects program mechanics as we understand them, it is not a guarantee of availability.
What Tucson Water's Grass Removal Rebate Actually Is
Tucson Water's grass removal rebate is a water conservation incentive. Tucson faces long-term Colorado River supply constraints, and irrigated ornamental grass is the single largest residential water consumer in most yards. The rebate pays property owners to remove it.
The program pays $5 per square foot of live ornamental grass removed, capped at $1,000 per account. The cap is reached at 200 square feet, anything above that doesn't increase the payment.
What the Rebate Covers, and Doesn't Cover
- Live, actively irrigated ornamental grass
- Bermuda grass, St. Augustine, tall fescue
- Grass that requires regular watering to survive
- Grass that is currently green and growing
- Already-dead or dormant grass
- Existing desert plants, DG, or rock
- Native or drought-tolerant ground cover
- The cost of the artificial turf itself
How the Rebate Process Works
- 1. Contact Tucson Water Conservation
Call (520) 791-3242 to confirm the program is accepting residential applications and that your account qualifies. Ask about current funding availability, programs sometimes pause when budgets are exhausted.
- 2. Get Pre-Approval
Do not remove the grass before this step. Tucson Water needs to verify the existing grass condition before it's removed. Pre-approval confirms the square footage and your rebate amount.
- 3. Remove the Grass
Removal can be done by a contractor or yourself. Tucson Water requires the area to be prepared for an alternative landscape, you can't simply leave bare soil. Artificial turf, decomposed granite, xeriscape, and other approved covers all qualify.
- 4. Schedule Inspection and Submit Documentation
After installation of your replacement landscape, contact Tucson Water to schedule an inspection. Bring photos of the original grass and the measurements. Upon approval, the rebate is applied as a credit to your water bill.
How to Think About the Rebate in Your Project Budget
The $1,000 cap means the rebate offsets a fixed amount regardless of project size. On a 400 sq ft artificial grass install, $1,000 covers roughly 10-20% of the total project cost depending on turf grade. On a smaller 150-200 sq ft install, it covers a more meaningful 15-25%. Plan it as a post-project credit on your water bill, not as upfront cash, you'll pay for the project first and receive the rebate after inspection.
The water savings are a bigger long-term story: Bermuda grass in Tucson requires roughly 55 gallons per square foot annually. On a 500 sq ft lawn at Tucson Water's tiered residential rates, that's $150-$300+ in annual water savings that continues indefinitely after the initial install.
Confirm current availability before planning. Program funding can be exhausted mid-cycle.
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