Almost every city in the Phoenix Valley will now pay you to remove your grass. What most homeowners do not realize until it is too late is that many of those programs will not pay for the artificial grass that replaces it, and every one of them requires approval before you pull out a single square foot of lawn.
This guide covers the 2026 grass removal rebates in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Tempe and Peoria, how each city treats artificial turf, and how to design a yard that still qualifies for the most money.
The Short Answer
Yes, you can still get a rebate when you install artificial grass in Arizona, but only in some cities and usually only for part of the yard. Gilbert allows turf in the rebated area. Phoenix pays $2 per square foot of grass removed and does not list turf as excluded. Mesa and Scottsdale allow some turf as long as the yard also has enough desert plants. Chandler and Peoria do not pay for any area converted to artificial turf. Glendale has a small rebate just for artificial grass.
The one rule that applies everywhere: apply first and wait for written approval. Grass that is already removed, or removal that has already started, does not qualify in any of these programs.
2026 Grass Removal Rebates by City
| City | Rebate | Minimum grass removed | Artificial turf in the rebated area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $2 per sq ft (projects over 5,000 sq ft reviewed case by case) | 250 sq ft | Not listed as excluded; no bare soil, pools or water features |
| Scottsdale | Up to $5,000 | See current application | Allowed with limits (the prior application capped turf at 1,000 sq ft) |
| Gilbert | Up to $2,000, plus up to $1,000 Desert Plant Bonus | 200 sq ft | Allowed |
| Mesa | Up to $2,100 | 500 sq ft | Allowed only with new living plants at 50% canopy coverage |
| Chandler | $1.50 per sq ft, up to $2,000 | 500 sq ft | Not eligible |
| Glendale | $1 per sq ft xeriscape (up to $3,000); $0.25 per sq ft artificial grass (up to $250) | 500 sq ft | Separate small rebate |
| Tempe | $0.50 per sq ft, up to $2,000 per fiscal year | See current terms | Rebate is for desert landscape with 30% plant coverage |
| Peoria | Tiered by plant coverage | 500 sq ft | Not eligible |
Figures come from each city’s water conservation pages as of October 2026. Funding is first come, first served, and every city says its rules can change at any time, so confirm the current terms with your city before you start.
City by City: What You Need to Know
Phoenix
The City of Phoenix Residential Grass Removal Incentive pays $2 per square foot for removing at least 250 square feet of living grass. The grass has to be healthy, with at least 75% coverage in the removal area (dormant grass counts). You apply online through myPHX311 with photos and an aerial image showing the square footage, then wait for a Notice to Proceed, which can take up to three weeks. Once you have it, you have six months to finish.
The Phoenix program does not list artificial turf as an excluded material. It does prohibit bare soil, pools and water features in the removal area, and you cannot put grass back in while you own the home. Ask the Water Services Department to confirm your design before you start. Learn more about artificial turf installation in Phoenix.
Scottsdale
Scottsdale pays up to $5,000 for residential grass removal. A pre-inspection is required by city ordinance, and you cannot start until you receive a Notice to Proceed. The city’s prior application allowed artificial turf but limited it to 1,000 square feet, so the rest of the yard needs to be desert landscape. The current residential deadline listed by the city is October 31, 2026, and the program typically returns with a new season, so check the city’s rebate page for the next application window. Our guide to artificial turf in Scottsdale covers what else to plan for.
Gilbert
Gilbert is the most turf-friendly program in the Valley. The town pays up to $2,000 for removing grass and allows artificial turf in the conversion area. The Desert Plant Bonus adds up to $1,000 more when at least 30% of the removal area is covered by low-water-use plants and trees at maturity. You need at least 200 square feet of qualifying grass, a site inspection before removal, and photos of the finished project within 90 days of pre-approval. The rebate is paid as a credit on your Gilbert water bill. See our guide to landscaping in Gilbert.
Mesa
Mesa’s Grass-to-Xeriscape Landscape Incentive pays up to $2,100 for removing at least 500 square feet of living grass. Artificial turf alone does not qualify. You can include turf, but living low-water-use plants still have to reach 50% canopy coverage in the area where the grass was. Read our guide to landscaping in Mesa.
Chandler
Chandler’s Single Family Grass Removal Rebate changed on January 1, 2026. It now pays $1.50 per square foot, up to $2,000, for converting at least 500 square feet of grass to xeriscape. Any area converted to artificial turf does not qualify. The converted area needs 50% plant canopy coverage at maturity, granite at least 2 inches deep, and plants bought from a nursery. You must finish within 90 days of the Notice to Proceed.
Chandler homeowners who want turf can still use the rebate on the part of the yard they convert to desert landscape, then install turf in a separate area that is not part of the rebate. Plan the two areas before you apply.
Glendale
Glendale pays existing homes $1 per square foot for xeriscape, up to $3,000, and a separate $0.25 per square foot for artificial grass, up to $250. You need to remove at least 500 square feet of grass that was irrigated with a working system, and the conversion must be completed within 24 months of applying. Conversions finished before January 1, 2023 are not eligible. Read our guide to synthetic grass in Glendale.
Tempe
Tempe’s Grass Removal and Conversion Rebate was revised on January 16, 2026. It pays $0.50 per square foot of grass converted to a low-water-use desert landscape, up to $2,000 per home per fiscal year. The converted area needs at least 30% plant coverage at maturity, and you must apply before removing any grass. Ask the city how artificial turf in the conversion area is treated before you count it in your square footage.
Peoria
Peoria’s Residential Xeriscape Conversion Rebate is tiered by how much of the landscape is covered by plants, with a higher rebate at 50% coverage than at 25%. Artificial turf and water-intensive features are not eligible. The minimum is 500 square feet unless you are converting all of your grass.
How to Get the Rebate and Still Have Artificial Grass
In most cities, the yards that get the most money combine turf with desert landscaping. Here is how to plan one:
- Put turf where you actually use it. Kids, dogs and putting greens need turf. Side yards and borders do not.
- Plan the plant coverage first. Most programs want 30% to 50% canopy coverage at mature size, so choose plants from the ADWR low-water-use list and space them for their full size.
- Use rock and decomposed granite between plants. Gilbert and Chandler require at least 2 inches of mulch or granite, and our guide to decorative rock landscaping in Phoenix covers your options.
- Switch to drip irrigation. Spray irrigation is not allowed in rebated areas in Gilbert, and drip is what keeps desert plants alive in summer.
- Measure carefully. Rebates are paid by the square foot of grass removed, so measure before you apply and keep the aerial image you submit.
The Steps to Apply
- Measure your grass and take photos of it while it is still alive and green.
- Apply to your city with the photos, an aerial image and your planned design.
- Wait for the site inspection and written approval, often called a Notice to Proceed.
- Remove the grass and install the new landscape within the deadline (90 days in Chandler and Gilbert, six months in Phoenix).
- Submit photos of the finished project, receipts and a W-9 if the city asks for one.
- Receive a check or a water bill credit.
Common Mistakes That Cost Homeowners the Rebate
- Removing grass before approval. This is the number one reason applications are denied.
- Letting the lawn die first. Phoenix wants 75% healthy coverage, and Gilbert and Glendale also require grass that was actively irrigated.
- Counting turf area in a city that excludes it, such as Chandler or Peoria.
- Too few plants. Coverage is measured at mature size, and many designs fall short.
- Missing the completion deadline after approval.
- Ignoring your HOA. Most cities require the new landscape to follow your HOA rules. Read our guide on Arizona HOA rules for artificial turf.
Is It Worth Removing Grass Even Without a Rebate?
For most homeowners, yes. Turf and desert landscaping cut outdoor water use sharply, end mowing and overseeding, and look good all year. The rebate helps, but it is rarely the main reason the project pays off. Our guide to what it costs to replace a backyard with artificial grass in Phoenix breaks down the numbers, and water-saving landscaping ideas for Phoenix homeowners covers more ways to cut your bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Phoenix give a rebate for artificial grass?
Phoenix pays $2 per square foot of grass removed, and its program does not list artificial turf as an excluded material. Confirm your design with the city before you apply.
Which Arizona cities exclude artificial turf from grass removal rebates?
Chandler and Peoria do not pay for any area converted to artificial turf. Mesa allows turf only when living plants also reach 50% canopy coverage.
Can I get a rebate after I already removed my grass?
No. Every program in this guide requires approval before removal starts. Completed projects are not eligible.
Do I need HOA approval to get a rebate?
Yes. Most cities require the new landscape to comply with your HOA rules, so get HOA approval for your design as part of the planning.
How long does it take to get paid?
It depends on the city. Gilbert credits your water bill after final approval, Glendale mails a check about 40 days after a complete application, and Phoenix pays by check within one to two billing cycles after final approval.
Plan a Rebate-Ready Yard
Diamond Stone & Synthetic Grass designs and installs turf, desert landscaping, rock and drip irrigation across the Phoenix Valley. We can design a yard that puts turf where you want it and plants where your city’s rebate needs them, and you can see the finished design in 3D before you apply. Request a free estimate or call (623) 293-0396.