Take the First Step to Desert Landscaping
Through the Residential Grass Removal Program
Phoenix homeowners can use the $2 per square foot Grass Removal Program to get a sustainable yard. Do you pay a city services bill and own your home? You may be eligible to receive financial support for the Grass Removal Program! Phoenix offers educational workshops and resources that can help you design your ideal desert landscape. Once that grass is gone, we say, ‘desert plants, bring it on’!
Grass Is Gone? Desert Plants, Bring It On!
Having a desert landscaped yard is one of the most important things Phoenix customers can do to save water. Removing grass lawns is the first step in choosing a sustainable landscape. When choosing desert plants, you can lower outdoor water use by 85% compared to grass. It can also reduce landscape maintenance. Do your part to be Phoenix Water Smart by taking out your grass! See the information below to learn how.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Grass must be alive and healthy at a minimum of 75% density of the area to be removed to be eligible; dormant grass included. Areas of bare soil or weeds must be less than 25% of the area of grass removal. Properties that have not received a Notice to Proceed (NTP) do not qualify.
- Applicants must be the current property owner (homeowner) and a Phoenix Water Services customer, receiving a water bill or city services bill from the City of Phoenix.
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A minimum of 250 square feet of grass must be removed.
- Water features and pools are prohibited from being installed in the area of grass removal.
- Bare soil after grass removal is prohibited in the area of grass removal.
- An estimate of the square footage of grass removal along with pre-project photos and map of the area of grass removal showing square footage must be submitted.
See Required Documentation list below.
- Grass removed cannot be reinstalled while ownership of the property is maintained.
See terms and conditions.
- Applicants must ensure their new landscape design and installation complies with their Homeowner’s Association Covenants, Codes & Restrictions. Applicants with homes in a historic district must contact Phoenix’s Historic Preservation Office for project approval.
Required Documentation:
The following documentation is needed to complete the application process. For all required documentation and links, please see the Application Process section.
- An aerial image* depicting the area of grass removal with an estimate of the square footage of grass to be removed. Use the
City’s Square Foot Measurement Tool. Watch instructions on how to use the Square Foot Measurement Tool, in
English
and
Spanish.
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A project description on the
Project Description Form. Tell us what will be replacing the area of removed grass.
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Two photos* of the area of grass removal showing existing grass condition. Grass removal area must be at least 75% density of live, healthy grass. Before and after photos of previously removed grass does not count towards the minimum and is not eligible for the incentive.
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An IRS W-9 form.
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An Affidavit of Lawful Presence form with a copy (either jpeg or PDF format) of the ID used to complete the form. Only one form of ID should be checked on the form. The name on the form must match the name on the ID exactly.
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A documented Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the City of Phoenix Water Services Department (WSD).
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At least two photos* of the area of grass removed after removal to be submitted after the project is complete and a copy of the NTP to
wsd.incentives@phoenix.gov.
*If the area isn’t discernible in the photos, we may request a video call or site inspection. All applicants are subject to inspection at any time.
1. Obtain a Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the Water Conservation office. Using the
myPHX311 portal, Submit:
B) An aerial image depicting the area of grass removal including an estimate of square footage of grass to be removed.
C) Two photos from different angles of the area of grass removal showing existing grass condition. Grass removal area must be at least 75% density of live, healthy grass. Before and after photos of previously removed grass does not count towards the minimum and is not eligible for the incentive. (See photo examples below).
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Bad Grass Example
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This area is not eligible. The areas of bare soil and dead grass are greater than 25%.
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Good Grass Example
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This home is eligible to apply because the grass area is at least 75% live, healthy grass.
D) An Affidavit of Lawful Presence form along with a copy of the ID you used to complete the form.
E) An IRS W-9 form.
Note: The Project Description form, Affidavit of Lawful Presence form and W-9 form must be in PDF format.Photos of these documents will not qualify. The name on the W-9 and Affidavit forms must match the name on the ID exactly. All other documents can be jpeg (not jpg) or PDF files.
2. Conservation staff will review photos and project description and complete square footage measurements using aerial imagery and photos of the property. If square footage given is indiscernible, or significantly different than staff measurements, a video call or onsite inspection may be performed. Staff will notify you if a call or inspection is needed.
3. After all documents have been approved, conservation staff will issue you a Notice to Proceed (NTP). Any work completed before issuance of the NTP is not eligible for the incentive payment. DO NOT start work until the NTP has been issued.
4. Begin the project. You have 6 months from the date of the NTP to complete work.
5. Notify the Water Conservation Office when the landscape conversion has been completed by emailing at least two photos of the completed project and a copy of the NTP to wsd.incentives@phoenix.gov.
6. Conservation staff will review final photos and send an email notice informing you of approval status.
7. The incentive payment will be processed after final approval in the form of a check in the mail. Please allow 1-2 billing cycles to receive the check.
Additional Information
- Projects over 5,000 square feet will be approved on a case-by-case basis, funds permitting.
- Under the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Phoenix AMA 4th Management Plan regulations, grass removed in the Right-Of-Way cannot be reinstalled. Plants installed must be from the Low-Water-use/Drought-Tolerant Plant list.
- All projects must comply with Maricopa County Rule 310.01. Maricopa County Dust Control Rule webpage,
Vacant Lots, Paved, and Unpaved Areas - Maricopa County, AZ
