DO NOT BEGIN YOUR LANDSCAPE CONVERSION OR IRRIGATION HARDWARE UPGRADE PROJECT UNTIL YOU HAVE HAD A PRE-INSPECTION SURVEY AND YOU HAVE RECEIVED A WRITTEN NOTICE TO PROCEED FROM THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT.
The Landscape Rebate Program has been recently revised. Please read the new terms and conditions as well as the qualifying plant and irrigation hardware lists prior to submission of your application. Do not begin your project until you have had a pre-inspection survey and you have received a written notice to proceed from the water district. 
The water district's Landscape Rebate Program provides two types of rebates that can be combined or issued separately:
The Landscape Rebate Program is available for Santa Clara County residents, businesses, and institutions that convert qualifying high water using landscape to water efficient landscape and/ or upgrade to qualifying irrigation hardware that results in water savings. In order to qualify, you must participate in a pre-inspection survey prior to applying for the program.
How do I participate?
Steps to Proceed
1. To schedule a pre-inspection survey, please contact the appropriate program listed below. The surveyor will determine eligibility for the Landscape Rebate Program and complete the qualifying information on a Request for Application Form.
Residents – Please contact 1-800-548-1882 or click here to schedule a Water-Wise House Call. San Jose Water Company customers please contact 408-279-7900 to schedule a Water Watcher Outdoor Audit. San Jose Water Company customers need to specify your interest in the Landscape Rebate Program.
Businesses – Includes institutions, commercial businesses, and multi-family properties with 5,000 square feet or more of irrigated landscape. Please contact Global Sun Landscape at 408-239-4655 or click here to schedule a Landscape Survey Program survey. Note: For business properties with less than 5,000 square feet of irrigated landscape, please contact the Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 265-2607, ext. 2554.
2. After completion of a pre-inspection survey, return the completed Request for Application to the water district by fax or mail. Contact information is listed below.
3. Once water district staff receives your Request for Application Form, a staff person will contact you and serve as your point of contact throughout the rebate process. The water district will mail you an Application Packet.
4. Read the Terms and Conditions provided in your Application Packet and review the SCVWD Qualifying Plant List and Qualifying Weather-Based Irrigation Controller List for qualifying plants and hardware selections. The SCVWD Qualifying Plant List can be viewed by clicking here. The Qualifying Weather-Based Irrigation Controller List can be viewed by clicking here.
5. Complete the application and submit to the water district with the following:
- 4 to 6 current photos of your existing landscape. Include the area that you plan to convert, and/or any installed irrigation that you plan to replace;
- List of plants that you intend to plant within the converted landscape area. Include qualifying plants that will cover a minimum of 50% of the converted area upon maturity;
- Include a simple diagram with the application that demonstrates the qualifying landscape area that you plan to convert as well as the irrigation system that you plan to install/ upgrade;
- Current copy of your water bill;
- Completed and signed W-9. Rebates of $600 or more may be considered taxable income by the IRS/State.
6. Once the water district receives your application and materials, water district staff will review the information and contact you for any additional follow-up.
7. When all information is complete and you have provided sufficient information to the water district that your project qualifies for the landscape conversion rebate and/or irrigation hardware rebate, the water district will provide you with a written Notice to Proceed. You can begin your landscape conversion project and/or irrigation hardware upgrades once you have received a written Notice to Proceed.
8. Remove approved high water use landscape (i.e.irrigated turf) and install your project according to the program terms and conditions.
9. You will have 90 days to complete your project from the date on your written Notice to Proceed. Once you have completed your project, call the water district's Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 265-2607, ext 2554 in order to schedule a post inspection and coordinate delivery of reciepts for qualifying irrigation equipment. Water district surveyors will meet with you on-site to measure any converted landscape area, check the irrigation system to verify that it meets the irrigation requirements, and verify that the project meets all of the terms and conditions of the program.
For more information on the Landscape Rebate Program, please contact the Water Conservation Hotline at (408) 265-2607, ext 2554 or:
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Att: Water Conservation
5750 Almaden Expressway
San Jose, CA 95118-3686
Phone (408) 265-2607, ext 2554
Fax: (408) 979-5639 - please do not fax photos or copies of receipts
Qualifying Rebates
- If your project meets all of the terms and conditions of the program and passes post inspection, the project will be approved for rebate.
- The landscape conversion rebate is based on the number of square feet of qualifying high water using landscape converted to approved low water using landscape, as outlined in the LRP terms and conditions.
- The irrigation hardware rebate is based on the customer’s qualifying project costs and is limited by the specified rebate amounts for irrigation hardware. Qualifying hardware must be installed and operating correctly.
- Once you have received the maximum amount of rebate for landscape conversion and have converted all qualifying pre-existing irrigation hardware, you can no longer participate in the Landscape Rebate Program.
- Rebates are paid on a first come-first served basis and are only available until funds are depleted or June 30, 2012, whichever occurs first.
