Madison Water Utility and the Sustainability office offer rebates and technical assistance for replacing irrigated turf with native plantings, rain gardens, and low-water landscapes to protect Lake Mendota and Lake Monona water quality.
The city partners with Dane County, the Madison Water Utility, and Clean Lakes Alliance on programs that pay residents per square foot to convert irrigated lawn to native or pollinator landscaping. Eligible projects must follow Madison Tree Code Ch. 27 setbacks, weed-ordinance grass-height exceptions for native plantings, and stormwater-credit guidelines. Rain gardens connecting to downspouts can earn stormwater-utility credits in addition to the rebate. The program supports the Climate Action Plan by reducing irrigation demand and runoff into the isthmus lakes. Application is online; inspections confirm plantings before the rebate issues.
There are no fines for declining to participate; rebate funds may be clawed back if installations are removed within a defined retention period or if invasive species replace approved native plantings.
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See how Madison's turf replacement rebates rules stack up against other locations.
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