Water-Saving Rebates for San Diego Homeowners: Turf, Toilets and Washers

by Trevor Landress

San Diego homeowners can get rebates for some water-saving upgrades through SoCal Water$mart, but the amounts vary by water agency and depend on available funding. At the time this article was written in October 2026, the program listed $40 for a qualifying toilet, rebates starting at $85 for a qualifying clothes washer and $2 per sprinkler nozzle.

The short answer

Rebates may vary by water agency and are based on the availability of funding.
The program page lists $40 per qualifying toilet, washer rebates starting at $85 and $2 per nozzle with a minimum of 30 nozzles.
Turf replacement projects must be approved before any work begins, and artificial turf is not eligible.
Check the program's current status and your own agency before you buy anything.

What the program lists

The SoCal Water$mart residential page lists these rebates. I have noted that the page is undated, so confirm the amounts and your eligibility before you buy.

Upgrade	What the page lists
Premium high-efficiency toilet	$40 per toilet for models using 1.1 gallons per flush or less
Clothes washer	Rebates start at $85, and the washer must meet or exceed the CEE Tier 1 standard
Sprinkler nozzles	$2 per nozzle, with a minimum of 30 nozzles per site
Weather-based irrigation controller	Eligible, with a product list
Soil moisture sensor	Eligible, with a product list
Rain barrels and cisterns	Eligible, with a details page

The page says rebates may vary by water agency and are based on the availability of funding, and it provides an Estimate Your Rebate tool. Applications are submitted online.

Turf replacement rules

Replacing a lawn is the largest of these projects. The County of San Diego's turf replacement page, which applies to properties in unincorporated areas, describes the SoCal WaterSmart track. It lists a $2 per square foot SoCal WaterSmart rate for some applicants, and it lists requirements that matter for any homeowner planning a project:

All projects must be reviewed and approved through SoCal WaterSmart before any work begins.
Plant 3 plants per 100 square feet of the transformed area, with a 3-inch organic mulch layer.
Include a stormwater retention feature, such as a rain garden or swale.
Use no hardscape in the transformed area except permeable materials.
Remove, cap or convert overhead spray sprinklers to a water-efficient system.
Replacement with artificial turf is not permitted.
Applications typically need before photos, a basic landscape sketch and a recent water bill.

The County page is the source for those rules. If your property is inside a city, check with your water agency to see whether the same rules apply to you.

A funding notice to watch

At the time this article was written, the County's page carried a notice asking SoCal WaterSmart applicants with a Notice to Proceed in the July to August 2026 window to pause new submissions until further notice. It also said that unincorporated residents who received a Notice to Proceed in that window would not get the County's $1 per square foot supplemental rebate but would still receive the SoCal WaterSmart rate. Funding and rules change, so call or check the program page before you start.

Where this fits for buyers and sellers

If you are buying a home with a lawn, a landscape project is a cost to plan for, and approval before the work is a rule that can affect your timing. If you are selling, a finished project may be a talking point, but the work should have been done to the program's rules and, where required, with the right permits. I explain how to check for them in my permit history guide.

In a community with an association, check its landscape rules before you plan anything, as I describe in my HOA fees guide. Solar is another upgrade people consider alongside water savings, and my solar guide explains the ownership choices.

How to claim a rebate

Use the Estimate Your Rebate tool to confirm your agency and the funding status.
Read the product list and make sure the model you plan to buy qualifies.
For turf, apply and wait for approval before you remove anything.
Keep receipts, photos and your water bill.
Submit the application online and follow up if you do not hear back.

Water rates in the City of San Diego changed in 2026, and I explain how the City charges in my guide to San Diego water rates. Saving water can help your bill, but I cannot promise how much.

My advice for San Diego homeowners

Confirm that rebate funding is open before you buy a toilet, washer or controller.
Never remove turf before you have written approval.
Keep your receipts, photos and water bill in one folder.
Ask your water agency which rules apply to your property.
Check association rules before you change the front yard.

A note on advice

I am a REALTOR®, not a lender, attorney, tax professional or financial advisor, so this guide is general information. Your lender can tell you what you qualify for, and a CPA or attorney can answer tax and legal questions.

Call or text me at (619) 402-4614 or send me a message.

Call or text (619) 402-4614 Contact Trevor Landress

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

What water-saving rebates does SoCal Water$mart list for homes?

At the time this article was written, it listed $40 per qualifying toilet, washer rebates starting at $85 and $2 per sprinkler nozzle with a minimum of 30.

Are rebates the same everywhere in San Diego?

No. The program says rebates may vary by water agency and are based on the availability of funding.

Can I get a rebate for artificial turf?

No. The County's turf replacement page says replacement with artificial turf is not permitted.

Do I need approval before removing my lawn?

Yes. The County's page says all projects must be reviewed and approved through SoCal WaterSmart before any work begins.

Is turf replacement funding open right now?

At the time this article was written, the County's page asked some applicants to pause new submissions until further notice, so check the program before you start.

About the author

Trevor Landress is a San Diego REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker West (DRE# 02126901). He was born and raised in San Diego and has been licensed since 2021.

Trevor helps homeowners sell, guides first-time buyers through the home buying process and assists investors with their next acquisition. His work includes negotiating offers, analyzing market trends, building pricing strategies and running marketing campaigns for his listings.

He serves clients across San Diego County, from coastal communities like La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad to neighborhoods inland.

Trevor is part of the Campbell Group, a three-generation real estate team, and he and the Campbell Group consistently rank as a top producing team at Coldwell Banker West each month. He writes these guides to help San Diego buyers and sellers navigate an ever-changing market. To talk through your plans, call or text (619) 402-4614 or contact Trevor Landress.

How I help San Diego home buyers

I help buyers sort out their budget, understand their loan options with a lender, search for homes, write and negotiate offers, keep track of inspection and contingency deadlines and stay organized through closing.

How I help San Diego home sellers

I help sellers price their home, prepare it for the market, market it to buyers, review and negotiate offers and manage the steps from an accepted offer to closing.