Landscape Rebates

Residents and businesses are encouraged to convert approved high-water use lawns and pools to low-water use landscapes. The current base rate for this incentive is $2/square foot. 

View full program requirements and frequently asked questions before applying for the Landscape Conversion Rebate. 

See Landscape Guides and Resources to learn more about creating a sustainable landscape. 

Commercial, institutional, industrial, and multi-family residential (5+ units) properties are encouraged to convert approved high-water use lawns to low-water-use landscapes. The current base rate for this incentive is $1/square foot. This is a lower rate than the Lawn Conversion Rebate. 

View full program requirements before applying for the Lawn to Mulch Rebate. 

See Landscape Guides and Resources to learn more about creating a sustainable landscape. 

Want to keep your landscaping? Valley Water will pay you to convert overhead sprinklers to in-line drip tubing in existing shrubs, perennial, or annual planting beds.

View details and steps to qualify for the In-Line Drip Irrigation Conversion Rebate on our online application.

Find more information about sprinklers and irrigation equipment.

Need an upgrade? We’ll help you replace qualifying inefficient irrigation hardware with approved efficient equipment (includes weather-based irrigation controllers, rain sensors, and more).

View details and steps to qualify for the Irrigation Equipment Upgrade Rebate on the online application.

Find more information about sprinklers and irrigation equipment.

Do you want help saving rainwater for later? If you have an existing gutter or downspout system not currently capturing rainwater, Valley Water will help you install rain barrels, cisterns, and rain gardens.

View details and steps to qualify for the rain barrel, cistern, and rain garden on the online application.

Find more information about rainwater harvesting.

Sites wishing to participate in the rebate program must complete a pre-inspection and submit an online application for approval before beginning any work. 

Sites that have been denied participation in the Landscape Rebate Program for not meeting the initial program eligibility requirements will not be allowed to re-apply for the rebate within three (3) years of the initial pre-inspection or denial date, whichever is the latter. 

Rebate caps

All applications issued a Notice to Proceed will be held to a total rebate cap (or both the Landscape Conversion Rebate and the Irrigation Equipment Upgrade Rebate combined).

Single-family & multi-family (4 or fewer units) properties

• Default cap = $3,000
• Cost-sharing cap = $6,000

Commercial & multi-family (5 or more units)

• Default cap = $100,000
• Cost-sharing cap = $100,000

*Commercial properties can include industrial and institutional properties such as schools, hospitals, government, parks, etc.

Complete the following steps before taking action on your project ideas.

Note: Projects that have been started, or projects that have already been completed prior to application approval, are not eligible. 

1. Create a user account. Go to the Online Application and create a user account. Customers who do not have the ability to submit an online application should call (408) 630-2554 for assistance.

2. Apply. Provide information about existing site conditions using the Online Application. Include photos, the estimated size of the project area (square footage), and/or existing equipment information. Customers will be contacted directly by Valley Water to schedule an onsite pre-inspection as needed after submitting existing site conditions.

3. Pre-inspection approval. After pre-inspection approval, customers will submit their proposed project details online, including a full plant list and a description of their project for the Landscape Conversion Rebate and/or the quantity and make/model of their proposed irrigation equipment upgrades as appropriate.

4. Application approved. Once the application is approved, customers will be issued an official Notice to Proceed and will have 90 days to complete their project. Do not begin removal of your lawn/pool or the purchase of materials for your project until you have received a written Notice to Proceed from Valley Water.

5. Project completion. Upon project completion, customers will request a final post-inspection and provide any documentation requested, such as photos or receipts. Rebate checks will be issued 4-6 weeks after the post-inspection date if approved.

Interested in a $200 or $400 graywater rebate? Valley Water can help you in your pursuit to ensure a locally-controlled water supply for your landscape with a Graywater Laundry-to-Landscape System.

• Find rebate details and participation requirements.
   
• Learn more about Graywater conservation.

Did you know the City of San Jose offers a rebate for their residents who install new trees within their park strips?  Help replenish our urban forest by planting a tree!

Learn more about the City of San Jose's Tree Rebate Program.