EBMUD offers Oakland customers cash rebates for replacing live turf with low-water landscaping, complementing California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) for new and renovated landscapes over a defined square footage.
EBMUD's Lawn Conversion Rebate pays a per-square-foot rebate (typically 1-3 dollars, varies by program year) to residential and commercial customers who tear out live grass and install climate-appropriate plants, mulch, or permeable hardscape. Pre-approval is required before removing turf. New construction and major renovations exceeding MWELO thresholds (state law via DWR) must meet maximum applied water allowance, soil prep, and high-efficiency irrigation standards. Oakland integrates MWELO compliance review into landscape and building permits for qualifying projects.
MWELO non-compliance can delay permit final or trigger redesign; rebate misuse (e.g., replanting turf later) requires repayment; EBMUD audits a sample of completed projects.
Oakland, CA
California Civil Code 4735 prohibits HOAs from banning low-water or California-native landscaping, and Oakland's Bay-Friendly and creek-protection policies a...
Oakland, CA
Artificial turf is legal on residential property in Oakland, and California Civil Code 4735 blocks HOAs from prohibiting it, though stormwater and creek-prot...
Oakland, CA
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) sets year-round irrigation rules for Oakland customers, prohibiting daytime sprinkler use, runoff onto pavement, ...
See how other cities in Alameda County handle turf replacement rebates.
See how Oakland's turf replacement rebates rules stack up against other locations.
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