Santa Monica is offering property owners up to $50,000 to replace water-intensive grass with sustainable landscaping as the city considers new watering restrictions.

The expanded rebate could help cover the cost of replacing decorative lawns before California's phased restrictions begin in 2027, according to Patch.

Here's what to know

Signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2023, Assembly Bill 1572 prohibits covered properties from using potable water on decorative lawns. 

Santa Monica's proposed ordinance would put that state requirement into effect locally.

Shared HOA areas would come under the restrictions in 2029, a year after institutional, industrial, and other commercial properties. The rollout would begin on Jan. 1, 2027, with properties owned by public water systems, local governments, and public agencies.

Recreational spaces, including playgrounds, parks, and sports fields, would remain outside the restrictions. 

Single-family homes and non-HOA apartments would also be exempt.

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More background

The landscaping at issue belongs to HOA, commercial, institutional, and industrial users served by the city. 

City staff put the amount of "nonfunctional turf" across those properties at roughly 650,000 square feet, according to the Santa Monica City Council staff report.

A lack of community or recreational use puts ornamental grass in that category. Examples include lawns around offices, beside parking lots, and in other landscaped areas.

The full water savings from replacing those lawns with sustainable landscaping would not arrive until after 2029. 

The projected annual reduction is about 65 acre-feet, or roughly 21 million gallons.

Affected lawns could remain in place; irrigating them with drinking water is what the restrictions would prohibit.

What's being done?

A grass-to-sustainable-landscaping conversion qualifies for $5 per square foot under Santa Monica's Cash for Grass program. 

The rate was up from $3.50, according to the council staff report.

Patch cited a $50,000 rebate ceiling for each account; the previous cap was $10,000.

Where recycled water is available, affected owners could use it rather than replace their decorative grass. For owners making a landscaping change, the program encourages low-water plants paired with drip irrigation.

For a separate household expense, Palmetto offers Southern California residents another opportunity to reduce utility costs. With Palmetto's help, the average Southern California resident can save 40% on their electric bills, which can add up to thousands of dollars per year. 

HOA, institutional, and commercial properties with more than one acre of landscaped space can qualify for no-cost landscape assessments. 

Santa Monica provides these through Southern California's Metropolitan Water District, according to Patch.

Where can I learn more?

Santa Monica is one of several communities turning to lawn rebates and watering limits to save water. These stories cover California turf replacement incentives and policy proposals, plus Denver's watering restrictions and penalties.

• Fresno is boosting its lawn replacement rebate to $4 per square foot for drought-tolerant yards.

• Coachella Valley Water District is offering turf replacement rebates for HOAs and golf courses.

• In Denver, lawn watering violations can cost $500, with repeat offenses risking water shutoff.

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