The City of Phoenix Residential Grass Removal Program pays $2 per square foot to homeowners who trade living grass for a low-water desert yard. The minimum project is 250 square feet, and you must be approved before any grass comes out. Ahwatukee homes on Phoenix water qualify too.
Phoenix rebate at a glance
| Rebate | $2 per square foot of grass removed |
|---|---|
| Minimum | 250 square feet |
| Maximum | No cap listed. Projects over 5,000 sq ft are reviewed case by case, funds permitting. |
| Pre-approval | Required. Wait for your Notice to Proceed (review can take up to 3 weeks). |
| Time to finish | 6 months after your Notice to Proceed |
| Paid as | A check, mailed in 1 to 2 billing cycles after approval |
Last checked against the official city page on October 31, 2026. Rebate budgets run out and rules change, so confirm on the Phoenix Water Services rebate page before you remove anything.
Who qualifies in Phoenix
- You own the home and get a Phoenix water or City Services bill. Landlords of single-family rentals can apply.
- The grass must be living and healthy at 75% density or better. Dormant winter Bermuda counts.
- Bare dirt and weeds must make up less than 25% of the area.
- No pools or water features in the removal area, and no bare soil once the project is done.
- Removed grass cannot be put back while you own the property.
- Your project must follow HOA rules and Maricopa County dust control rules.
Step by step
- Apply through myPHX311 with a project description, an aerial image showing square footage, two photos, a W-9 and the lawful presence affidavit with ID.
- City staff review the application and may call or inspect.
- You receive a Notice to Proceed. Do not remove grass before this.
- Finish the conversion within 6 months.
- Email at least two final photos and your Notice to Proceed to wsd.incentives@phoenix.gov.
- After approval, the city mails your check.
Other Phoenix water rebates
- HOAs, apartments, businesses and schools have a separate Non-Residential Grass Removal Program at $2 per square foot (1,000 sq ft minimum, permanent drip required).
How Three Timbers helps with a rebate project
We design and install xeriscapes across the Valley, and design and install work is booking now. The rebate application is yours: the city pays the water customer, not the contractor. Where we help is building a yard that fits the rules.
- We wait for your Notice to Proceed before any grass comes out, so you stay eligible.
- We plan the plant list so mature canopy meets the city's coverage rule, using plants from the ADWR Phoenix AMA low water use list.
- We convert spray zones to drip so new plants get deep, slow water.
- We take before and after photos you can use for your final paperwork.
Want to start with plants only? Order at threetimbersshop.com and add planting at checkout. Delivery is free across the Valley on orders over $150, and we plant the next day.
See what we plant in Phoenix on our Phoenix xeriscaping page, compare every city on our Valley rebate guide, or price the project with our Phoenix xeriscape cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Phoenix pay to remove grass?
Phoenix pays $2 per square foot of living grass removed, with a 250 square foot minimum. A 1,000 square foot front lawn would earn $2,000.
Can I remove my grass before I apply?
No. Phoenix requires pre-approval and a Notice to Proceed first. Grass removed before then does not qualify.
Does Ahwatukee qualify for the Phoenix rebate?
Yes, if your home is on City of Phoenix water. Ahwatukee is part of Phoenix.
Do I need drip irrigation?
The residential page does not require drip, but converting sprays to drip is the best way to keep new desert plants alive. The non-residential program does require permanent drip.
Recent Valley xeriscapes
