FRESNO, CA – 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 residential and commercial, industrial and institutional (CII) customers, enabling larger landscape conversion projects. The program is designed to encourage more water conservation citywide, as well as beautify properties with drought-tolerant plants.
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 CII customers who receive water service from the City.
Customers must apply and receive City approval before beginning a project, with applications approved no later than 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. CII properties, which include schools, HOAs, and common interest developments, are eligible to convert up to 100,000 square feet of irrigated lawn.
The Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate can help CII 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. Residential and CII customers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible at www.Fresno.gov/LawntoGarden.
The Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate program is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is funded by a grant from the Department of Water Resources: Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.