Santa Barbara, CA Xeriscaping Guide
Published: June 6, 2026 · Updated:
City of Santa Barbara pays $2.00 per square foot, up to $1,500, with $3.00 for rain-garden area to Santa Barbara homeowners who replace thirsty lawn, on at least 250 square feet.
The Santa Barbara turf removal rebate
Sustainable Lawn Replacement, run by City of Santa Barbara.
$2.00 per square foot, up to $1,500, with $3.00 for rain-garden area
- Most California programs run on the Metropolitan Water District regional base rate, and your retail agency may add to it
- Between 250 and 5,000 square feet per property per year
- Apply and receive approval before removing any turf
Apply and get approval before you remove any grass. This program does not pay retroactively.
Verified 2026-07-28 against the City of Santa Barbara rebate page. Compare turf rebates.
What to plant in Santa Barbara
The planting palette for zone 7b is shared across California and is set out once, with the genera native to the state, on the California xeriscaping guide. What is specific to Santa Barbara is the money above: City of Santa Barbara sets what your removed lawn is worth.
What is specific to Santa Barbara is the money: City of Santa Barbara decides what your removed lawn is worth, and those terms are above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Santa Barbara, CA offer a turf removal rebate?
Yes. City of Santa Barbara runs the Sustainable Lawn Replacement, paying $2.00 per square foot, up to $1,500, with $3.00 for rain-garden area. You must remove at least 250 square feet to qualify. Full conditions are on the City of Santa Barbara rebate page.
How much is the Santa Barbara turf rebate actually worth on a typical lawn?
At City of Santa Barbara's rate of $2.00 per square foot, removing a 600 square foot lawn returns $1,200. A 1,000 square foot lawn returns $1,500 once the cap is applied.