Mesa, AZ Xeriscaping Guide
Published: June 6, 2026 · Updated:
City of Mesa Water Resources pays $1,000 for 500 to 999 square feet, $1,500 for 1,000 to 1,499, $2,000 for 1,500 or more, plus $100 per tree for up to two trees to Mesa homeowners who replace thirsty lawn, on at least 500 square feet.
The Mesa turf removal rebate
Residential Grass-to-Xeriscape and Tree Bonus Incentive, run by City of Mesa Water Resources.
$1,000 for 500 to 999 square feet, $1,500 for 1,000 to 1,499, $2,000 for 1,500 or more, plus $100 per tree for up to two trees
- At least 500 square feet removed
- Existing grass at roughly 70 per cent average coverage
- 50 per cent plant canopy at maturity across the converted area
- One incentive per property every three years, for future projects only
Apply and get approval before you remove any grass. This program does not pay retroactively.
Mesa pays in flat bands rather than per square foot, so removing 1,500 square feet and removing 3,000 pay the same $2,000 before the tree bonus.
Verified 2026-07-28 against the City of Mesa Water Resources rebate page. Compare turf rebates.
What to plant in Mesa
The planting palette for zone 9b is shared across Arizona and is set out once, with the genera native to the state, on the Arizona xeriscaping guide. What is specific to Mesa is the money above: City of Mesa Water Resources sets what your removed lawn is worth.
What is specific to Mesa is the money: City of Mesa Water Resources decides what your removed lawn is worth, and those terms are above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mesa, AZ offer a turf removal rebate?
Yes. City of Mesa Water Resources runs the Residential Grass-to-Xeriscape and Tree Bonus Incentive, paying $1,000 for 500 to 999 square feet, $1,500 for 1,000 to 1,499, $2,000 for 1,500 or more, plus $100 per tree for up to two trees. You must remove at least 500 square feet to qualify. Full conditions are on the City of Mesa Water Resources rebate page.
How much is the Mesa turf rebate actually worth on a typical lawn?
City of Mesa Water Resources pays $1,000 for 500 to 999 square feet, $1,500 for 1,000 to 1,499, $2,000 for 1,500 or more, plus $100 per tree for up to two trees rather than publishing a per-square-foot rate, so the amount depends on the size band your project falls into rather than scaling with every extra foot removed. Check the current bands on its rebate page before planning the area.