Cash for Grass

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Cash for Grass - Lawn Replacement Rebate

Preapproval is required to participate in this program. Projects that have been started or projects that have already been completed prior to receiving approval to participate are not eligible. Before starting your project, complete the form below to schedule a free pre-approval water use efficiency survey at your home or business.

Once you've submitted this form, Marin Water staff will contact you within 1 to 4 weeks to schedule a pre-inspection appointment.

Program Changes to Address 2020-21 Drought. Due to the current drought, Marin Water is temporarily making the following changes to the turf replacement program, to be effective through October 31, 2021.

  • The rebate amount has been increased to $3/sq ft of lawn area removed.
  • Maximum rebate of $5,000 for residential sites, $20,000 for commercial sites.

Terms and Conditions

In order to qualify for this rebate, you must agree to the following conditions and the full program terms and conditions which are provided at the bottom of this form.


Applicant Information

 

Service Address

 

Mailing Address (if different)


Pre and Post Inspections

Marin Water must perform a site survey prior to any work beginning on the lawn conversion and again after conversion has been completed.

During the pre-conversion site survey, Marin Water will do the following.
  • Verify the proposed project area qualifies.
  • Measure and record the square footage of the proposed area.
  • Provide the application and Program materials, and provide approval to participate in the Program (an approval is solely an estimate - rebate amounts are subject to change upon final verification inspection).
During the post-conversion inspection, Marin Water will verify the following.
  • Project Area: measure/confirm converted square foot area of lawn.
  • Confirm area is sheet mulched.
    • Weed barrier: project area must use a cardboard weed barrier.
    • Compost: project area must have a minimum of 2” or compost.
    • Mulch: project area must have a minimum of 3” of organic (i.e. plant-based) mulch.
  • Irrigation: project area must have disabled overhead irrigation.
  • Separately Zoned: project area must be zoned separately from adjacent landscape areas and from trees within the project area.
  • If only part of a lawn is converted, the remaining lawn area must be irrigated on a separate zone.
Terms and Rules
  1. Applicant agrees to participate in a full Conservation Assistance Program (CAP) site survey (indoor and outdoor) of the project property prior to any conversion work being performed.
  2. Rebates are calculated at $3/square foot of existing grass that is sheet mulched using cardboard, compost and organic mulch, and where the overhead irrigation is disabled.
  3. Maximum rebate of $5,000 for residential sites; $20,000 for commercial sites.
  4. Lawn converted to artificial turf, non-permeable hardscape, pool or other water feature does not qualify.
  5. Lawn converted using inorganic materials such as plastic sheeting or landscape fabric does not qualify.
  6. Lawn converted to permeable hardscape does qualify, such as decomposed granite, gravel, flagstone or brick set on permeable base and with minimum spacing of 3/8-inch and filled with mortar-less permeable materials (e.g. sand or gravel).
  7. Sheet mulching should not be installed within five feet of combustible structures (i.e. house, shed, fencing, etc.). To be eligible for the rebate, grass within the zero to five feet range of combustible materials must be removed manually and replaced with permeable hardscape in this area.
  8. This rebate program is designed to be a permanent change to your landscaping. A project may be selected for a future on-site inspection at any time. If the grass removal cannot be verified and measured, the applicant will be required to refund the rebate amount, including all associated processing costs. Access to the area transformed must be provided for inspection.
  9. MMWD reserves the right to inspect the property in order to verify that the project area has not been replanted with grass or covered with artificial turf or covered with non-permeable hardscape, either before or after rebate is paid. If access to the site for any subsequent inspection is not granted, or if a site inspection determines the project area has been replanted with grass or other materials not allowed by the LYL Program, the full rebate amount will be due and payable to MMWD. By participating in the Program the applicant agrees that the full rebate amount may be charged to the applicants water service account. Residential Applicants understand and acknowledge that Program participation will be noted on the water service address for the property. In the event the property is sold, Applicant must notify the purchaser of the no-grass landscape requirement associated with that water service address.
  10. For commercial sites, the Applicant, or property owner if not Applicant, must execute a “No Grass Conservation Easement” and record this with the Marin County Recorder’s Office to assure long term compliance with the requirements of this Program. Applicant must provide a conformed copy of the recorded document prior to receiving a rebate.
  11. If project completion takes longer than 45 days, applicant must submit a request for extension to the Water Efficiency Department via phone, mail or email prior to the original completion date. Extension may be approved at Marin Water’s sole discretion.
  12. Rebates over $600 may be considered taxable income and a 1099 will be issued. Include a completed IRS Form W-9 with your application materials if you will receive more than $600 in rebates. For more information on whether your rebate check will be considered taxable income, please contact a qualified tax professional.
  13. Project must be completed and the signed Application and W-9 Form must be submitted to Marin Water along with the rebate application in order to be eligible for a rebate.
  14. Offer applies to Marin Water residential and commercial customers sites with active potable water service.
  15. Applicant must be the Marin Water account holder, and property owner or water bill-paying tenant, with consent from property owner.
  16. By participating in this Program, customers agree to allow Marin Water to publicize their pre- and post-conversion project photographs. (Name and Address will not be published.)
  17. New construction does not qualify, nor does any project started prior to the pre-inspection.
  18. If existing landscaped area is being renovated and Marin Water’s Landscape Plan Review requirements apply, rebate will be paid only when all Landscape Plan Review requirements are met, as long as funding is available.
  19. Applicant is responsible for complying with all applicable codes and regulations.
  20. Limited time offer. Rebates are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability of funds. Program may be canceled at any time without notification.
Disclaimer/Waiver
  • Applicant expressly agrees that Marin Water may inspect all properties participating in this program; that Marin Water does not guarantee the performance of any product receiving a rebate; and that Marin Water does not warrant any product to be free of defects, the quality of workmanship, or the suitability of the premises or products for the installation.
  • Applicant further agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Marin Water, its directors, officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all loss, damage, expense, claims suits, and liability, including attorney fees arising out of or in any way connected with the product(s) and its (their) installation. Applicant shall indemnify, hold harmless, defend and release Marin Water, its officers, directors, agents, and employees from any and all liability, claims, damages, costs and expenses of lawsuits, which may be asserted by any person or entity, including Applicant, arising out of or in connection with the activities of Applicant, its agents, and employees provided for herein whether or not there is concurrent passive negligence on the part of the District but excluding liability for District’s sole negligence and willful misconduct.
  • Applicant has read, understands, and agrees to the terms and conditions listed on the rebate application.
  • Applicant understands that installation of qualifying products are not guaranteed to result in lower water bills.
  • Marin Water reserves the right to change the terms of this offer at any time, without notification.