How to Get the EVMWD Water Rebate for Drought-Tolerant Landscaping in Murrieta

Replacing your front lawn with drought-tolerant landscaping is one of the most financially sensible yard improvements available to Murrieta homeowners right now — and not just because of lower water bills. The Eastern Municipal Water District (EVMWD) offers a turf removal rebate program that pays you cash for making the conversion. When you factor in the rebate, ongoing water savings, and reduced maintenance costs, a drought-tolerant front yard often pays for itself within 3–5 years.

Here’s exactly how the EVMWD program works, what qualifies, and how to avoid the mistakes that get people disqualified.

What EVMWD Offers

The EVMWD Landscape Transformation Program provides financial incentives for residential customers who replace qualifying turf with water-efficient landscaping. The core components:

Turf removal rebate: Up to $2 per square foot for turf that is removed and replaced with qualifying drought-tolerant landscaping and irrigation. On a typical Murrieta front yard, that adds up quickly:

• 500 sqft lawn = up to $1,000 rebate
• 750 sqft lawn = up to $1,500 rebate
• 1,000 sqft lawn = up to $2,000 rebate
• 1,500 sqft lawn = up to $3,000 rebate

Smart controller rebate: $50–$100 for qualifying weather-based smart irrigation controllers, available separately or in combination with the turf removal rebate.

Drip irrigation conversion rebate: Some program years include additional rebates for converting spray irrigation to drip as part of a turf replacement project. Eligibility and amounts vary — confirm current availability with EVMWD directly.

Important: Rebate programs are funded annually and change from year to year. The amounts listed here are based on recent program years, but you must verify current rebate amounts and availability at evmwd.com before planning your project. Funding can be exhausted mid-year.

Who Qualifies

EVMWD serves most of Murrieta, Wildomar, and portions of Menifee. If you receive your water bill from EVMWD, you’re a potential candidate. If you’re on Rancho California Water District (RCWD) service — which covers most of Temecula — the good news is that RCWD runs a comparable turf removal program with similar structure. The process described here applies broadly to both, though specific requirements and rebate amounts differ.

To confirm your water district, look at your water bill or check your address on the EVMWD service area map at evmwd.com.

The Step-by-Step EVMWD Rebate Process

The single most important thing to understand about this program: you must apply before removing your turf. This is not optional, and it’s not flexible. Projects that remove turf without a pre-approved application are disqualified from the rebate, period. No exceptions.

Step 1: Take Before Photos

Before you submit your application, photograph your existing turf thoroughly. Every area you plan to convert should be documented with clear photos. These are submitted with your final application as proof of what was there before. Take more photos than you think you need.

Step 2: Verify Your Address is in EVMWD Territory

Confirm your address is on EVMWD service before starting the application process. Check your water bill or use the district’s online service area lookup at evmwd.com.

Step 3: Submit Your Pre-Application Online

The pre-application is submitted through the EVMWD website and must be approved before any work begins. The pre-application asks for basic information about your project: your address, estimated square footage of turf to be removed, and your planned replacement approach.

Allow 1–3 weeks for pre-application review. EVMWD staff may contact you for clarification or a preliminary site visit.

Step 4: Wait for Pre-Application Approval

Do not remove turf, hire a contractor, or start any ground preparation until you have written pre-application approval from EVMWD. This is the step that trips up the most homeowners — particularly those who are excited to start and assume approval will be granted. Wait for the written approval.

Step 5: Remove Turf and Install Qualifying Landscape

Once approved, you can proceed with your project. Qualifying replacement landscape must meet EVMWD’s standards:

Plant selection: At least 50% of the planted area must use species from EVMWD’s approved plant list. The list is available on the EVMWD website and includes a broad range of California natives, Mediterranean-climate plants, and other low-water species. Most of the drought-tolerant plants we regularly recommend in Murrieta — Cleveland sage, Leucophyllum, Agapanthus, Agave, Aloe, ornamental grasses — are on the list.

Mulch depth: The project must include mulch to a minimum 3-inch depth in all planted areas. Wood chip, bark, or shredded mulch is acceptable; decorative rock and decomposed granite can be used in portions of the project but may not fully substitute for organic mulch depending on current program requirements.

Drip irrigation: Conversion to drip irrigation is required. Spray heads in the converted area must be capped or replaced with drip emitters. This is both an EVMWD program requirement and good practice — maintaining spray irrigation in a drought-tolerant planting area defeats the water-saving purpose of the conversion.

No hardscape-only conversions: Replacing turf with concrete, pavers, artificial turf, or decomposed granite alone does not qualify. The rebate is specifically for plant-based drought-tolerant landscape, not hardscape. Some programs allow a percentage of the converted area to be permeable hardscape, but the majority must be planted.

Step 6: Take After Photos

Once installation is complete, photograph the finished project from the same angles as your before photos. Close-up photos of plant species and irrigation emitters help document compliance.

Step 7: Submit Your Final Application

The final application includes your before and after photos, contractor invoice (or materials receipt if DIY), proof of drip irrigation installation, and a plant list with quantities confirming that the 50%+ approved species requirement is met.

Step 8: Receive Your Rebate Check

Processing time after a complete final application is typically 4–8 weeks. EVMWD staff may conduct a site visit before issuing the rebate to confirm the installed project matches the application.

Common Mistakes That Get Projects Disqualified

Removing turf before pre-application approval: The most frequent disqualifier. No exceptions are made.

Inadequate mulch depth: Three inches is the minimum. Projects submitted with 1–2 inches of mulch are typically sent back for correction before the rebate is issued.

Retaining spray irrigation: Any remaining spray heads in the converted area are a problem. All irrigation in the converted area must be converted to drip.

Incorrect plant proportions: If the final application plant list shows less than 50% of area planted with approved species, the project doesn’t qualify as submitted. This is where professional plant selection from someone who knows the EVMWD approved list makes a real difference.

Missing documentation: A final application without before photos, a contractor invoice, or a plant list is incomplete and will be returned.

RCWD’s Comparable Program for Temecula

Rancho California Water District, which serves most of Temecula and portions of Murrieta and Wildomar, runs its own landscape rebate program with similar structure. The rebate amounts, approved plant list, and specific requirements differ from EVMWD, but the overall process — pre-application before work begins, documentation requirements, drip irrigation requirement — is comparable. Check current RCWD program details at ranchowater.com.

How a Professional Landscaper Helps Maximize Your Rebate

Working with a landscaper who is familiar with the EVMWD program means your plant selection is pre-screened against the approved list, your drip irrigation design is documented correctly, your submission package is complete on the first submission, and your project is designed to meet the rebate requirements from the start rather than being retrofitted to qualify. See our drought-tolerant rebate guide for a quick overview, or explore our full landscape design service.

The rebate is real money — often $1,000–$3,000 for a typical Murrieta front yard — and it’s worth doing right. A pre-application mistake that disqualifies the project or a documentation gap that delays the rebate by months is easily avoided with professional guidance.

If you’re ready to explore a turf replacement project that qualifies for EVMWD or RCWD rebates, contact us through our contact page for a free consultation. We’ll assess your yard, walk through the program requirements, and give you a proposal that accounts for rebate qualification from the beginning.