Surprise, AZ Xeriscaping Guide
Published: June 6, 2026 · Updated:
City of Surprise Water Resource Management pays $2.00 per square foot on up to 1,000 square feet, so $2,000 maximum to Surprise homeowners who replace thirsty lawn, on at least 500 square feet.
The Surprise turf removal rebate
Single Family Residential Turf Grass Removal Rebate, run by City of Surprise Water Resource Management.
$2.00 per square foot on up to 1,000 square feet, so $2,000 maximum
- At least 500 square feet of warm-season Bermuda, or all of it where the lawn is smaller than 500
- At least 50 per cent grass density, so bare dirt does not qualify
- 30 per cent desert-adapted living plant canopy, from the ADWR Phoenix AMA list
Apply and get approval before you remove any grass. This program does not pay retroactively.
The current programme year runs from 1 July 2026 to 1 June 2027, with applications accepted until 1 May 2027.
Verified 2026-07-28 against the City of Surprise Water Resource Management rebate page. Compare turf rebates.
What to plant in Surprise
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 Surprise is the money above: City of Surprise Water Resource Management sets what your removed lawn is worth.
What is specific to Surprise is the money: City of Surprise Water Resource Management decides what your removed lawn is worth, and those terms are above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Surprise, AZ offer a turf removal rebate?
Yes. City of Surprise Water Resource Management runs the Single Family Residential Turf Grass Removal Rebate, paying $2.00 per square foot on up to 1,000 square feet, so $2,000 maximum. You must remove at least 500 square feet to qualify. Full conditions are on the City of Surprise Water Resource Management rebate page.
How much is the Surprise turf rebate actually worth on a typical lawn?
At City of Surprise Water Resource Management's rate of $2.00 per square foot, removing a 600 square foot lawn returns $1,200. A 1,000 square foot lawn returns $2,000.