Up to $10 per Square Foot Rebate Helps Meet 2027 State Law Banning Watering Nonfunctional Turf
LOS ANGELES, CA (October 16, 2025) — As part of its ongoing commitment to water conservation, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has significantly increased the turf replacement rebate for commercial, multi-family (5+ units), industrial, institutional, and public agency customers. As of September 1, the rebate offers $9 to $10 per square foot of turf replaced with a sustainable landscape, which includes low water-use plants. This is an 80 to 100 percent increase from the previous rebate of $5 per square foot to support customer’s transition to an eco-friendly California Friendly® landscape.
LADWP’s enhanced turf replacement rebate is made possible by the Metropolitan Water District’s recently increased rebate. This limited-time increased incentive amount is made possible by state and federal grant funding and is available on a first come first served basis until funds are exhausted.
The rebate expansion comes ahead of a statewide mandate under Assembly Bill 1572, which will prohibit the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on public agency properties beginning in January 2027; commercial, industrial, and institutional properties beginning in January 2028; and common areas of homeowners associations, common interest properties, and community service organizations in January of 2029. The mandate encourages the replacement of ornamental turf with climate-appropriate landscapes.
“With this enhanced funding, we are empowering businesses to make meaningful landscape changes that demonstrate their commitment to a sustainable water future in Los Angeles,” said Janisse Quiñones, LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer. “These generous incentives help customers replace thirsty grass with climate-appropriate and native landscaping without straining their budgets.”
Commercial customers can receive $9 per square foot on projects from 250 square feet to 50,000 square feet, for a total maximum rebate of $450,000. Larger commercial turf replacement projects, ranging in size from 50,001 square feet to 7 acres, are eligible for a $3 per square foot rebate beyond the initial 50,000 square feet incentive for their project.
Public agencies can receive $10 per square foot on projects from 250 square feet to 200,000 square feet. Larger public agency turf replacement projects, ranging in size from 200,001 square feet to 7 acres, are eligible for a $3 per square foot rebate beyond the initial 200,000 square feet incentive for their project.
Participants must first receive application pre-approval before beginning their turf replacement project. Customers are encouraged to apply now as the increased rebate will only be available for a short period of time. For more details on how to apply, visit LADWP.com/landscaping.
To date, LADWP has helped customers replace over 56 million square feet of turf, the equivalent of nearly 1,000 football fields, with water-efficient, drought tolerant landscaping. Over 25 percent of that total square footage replaced has been in the commercial sector.
For single-family residential customers, LADWP continues to offer the $5 per square foot turf replacement rebate. Pre-approval is required prior to commencing any work, and eligible customers can receive up to $25,000 in rebates, depending on lawn size.
LADWP also offers many rebates and incentive programs where customers can make beneficial changes and upgrades needed to help them keep water conservation a way of life for all Angelenos. Learn more at LADWP.com/WaterConservation.
