FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno is boosting incentives for residents and businesses to rip out water-thirsty lawns and replace them with drought-tolerant landscaping, expanding a city rebate program to conserve water and improve curb appeal.

The City of Fresno has enhanced its Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate by increasing rebate funding to $4 per square foot and expanding square footage eligibility for both residential and commercial, industrial and institutional customers, allowing larger landscape conversion projects.

Administered by the City of Fresno Public Utilities, the rebate provides financial assistance to replace irrigated lawn with water-efficient landscaping.

Rebate funds are available to residential and commercial, industrial and institutional customers who receive water service from the City.

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Customers must apply and receive City approval before beginning a project. Applications must be approved by December 31, 2026.

Eligible projects must convert at least 200 square feet of irrigated lawn using approved drought-tolerant plants.

Residential properties can convert up to 10,000 square feet of irrigated lawn. Commercial, industrial and institutional properties — including schools, HOAs and common interest developments — are eligible to convert up to 100,000 square feet of irrigated lawn.

The city says the Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate can also help commercial, industrial and institutional customers comply with pending statewide water conservation regulations that restrict irrigation of non-functional turf with potable drinking water.

The new rules stem from Assembly Bill 1572, which was signed into law in 2023 and begins taking effect on Jan. 1, 2027, for certain commercial properties.

Funding for the Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate is limited, and the program is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is funded by a grant from the Department of Water Resources’ Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program.

Residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible at www.Fresno.gov/LawntoGarden.