Cash for Grass in Chandler - Turf Removal Rebate Guide 2026
Maricopa County · Arizona
Grass Removal Rebate Program
Up to $2,000 per property (calculated per sq ft removed)
Administered by City of Chandler Water Conservation
The City of Chandler launched its Grass Removal Rebate Program effective January 1, 2026 as part of Arizona’s broader response to Colorado River supply uncertainty. Chandler pays up to $2,000 per property for converting grass to drought-tolerant desert landscaping, calculated per square foot removed. The programme requires replacement landscaping with 50% plant canopy coverage at maturity — a stricter rule than SNWA’s or SoCal Water$mart’s, designed to ensure converted landscapes actually provide ecological benefits rather than becoming gravel wastelands. Artificial turf does NOT qualify. With Arizona facing the steepest proposed Colorado River cuts in 2027, Chandler residents who convert now hedge against future restrictions and lock in the current rebate rate.
Eligibility Rules
- ✓Active Chandler water utility account
- ✓Single-family residential properties
- ✓Application and approval BEFORE starting work
- ✓Replacement landscape must have 50% plant canopy coverage at maturity
- ✓All replacement plants must be from the Phoenix AMA Low-Water-Use/Drought-Tolerant Plant List
- ✓W-9 required if total Chandler rebates exceed $599 in a calendar year (IRS 1099 reporting)
How to Apply
- Visit chandleraz.gov/water-conservation and complete the Grass Removal Rebate application
- Submit photos documenting existing grass area and proposed landscape plan
- Wait for Water Conservation review and approval
- Receive approval letter before purchasing materials or starting work
- Complete the conversion per the approved plan and plant list
- Submit final photos and planting receipts for post-project review
- Receive rebate payment after final inspection
What Qualifies as Replacement Landscaping
- ✓Plants on the Phoenix AMA Low-Water-Use/Drought-Tolerant Plant List
- ✓Desert trees (Mesquite, Palo Verde, Desert Willow, Acacia species)
- ✓Agaves, cacti, and desert succulents
- ✓Permeable mulch, decomposed granite, and gravel
- ✓Drip irrigation converted from spray
What Does NOT Qualify
- ✗Artificial turf
- ✗Concrete or impermeable hardscape
- ✗Plants not on the Phoenix AMA approved list
- ✗Landscape plans that don’t meet the 50% canopy coverage requirement at maturity
- ✗Projects completed before approval
How Much Can You Actually Save?
Calculation Example:
Typical 600 sq ft Chandler front lawn with Bermuda grass: rebate varies by calculation but is capped at $2,000 per property. Installation cost for a compliant desert xeriscape runs $3,000–6,000 — after rebate, net out-of-pocket is $1,000–4,000.
5-Year Water Savings:
600 sq ft of Bermuda grass in Chandler consumes 35,000–45,000 gallons annually (Arizona summers are more extreme than LA or San Diego). At Chandler’s tiered rates that’s $150–250/year in water cost. Five-year savings: $750–1,250. Combined with the $2,000 rebate and significantly reduced maintenance (desert landscapes need 70–80% less mowing), payback runs 3–5 years.