Want to rip up your lawn and install native plants? Here’s how to do it for free

About half the water we use at home goes to outdoor watering. That amount is partly why many Angelenos have opted to swap out their thirsty grass for a drought-friendly lawn.

These plants, especially native ones, boost biodiversity, help our local pollinators thrive and are beasts at saving water. So swapping out your Bermuda grass, for example, is a beneficial and cost-friendly choice in the long run.

But it can be expensive to get a lawn removed, costing thousands of dollars. That’s why there's now a new way to make the switch for free. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has launched a no-cost turf removal program for eligible customers.

(This is separate from the SoCal Water Smart program, which has been running for a few years with a turf removal rebate, often up to 40%, once you’ve had the work done.)

What the program offers

The Landscape Efficiency Assistance Program is designed to help residents who may not be able to afford water-saving upgrades.

It covers the cost of a front yard conversion to drought-tolerant landscaping, as well as other additions that help cut down your water bill:

• A rain capture feature (e.g. rain barrel, rock garden, or rain garden)
• Existing irrigation system conversion to drip irrigation
• Installation of a weather-based irrigation controller
• Installation of a smart water use monitoring device

Irrigation sprinklers jet water over a front lawn

(

Robyn Beck

/

AFP via Getty Images

)

After your application is accepted, an LADWP contractor works with you to tailor and install one of five versions of pre-approved landscaping for the section of the city you’re in. For example, East Valley and Harbor water district customers have different groundcover in the templates. Terrence McCarthy, manager of water resources policy,  says the general layout of the designs are based on what they call “hydro zones.”

“Certain plants that have similar water needs are placed together so that the irrigation system waters that plant type with, say, low-medium water needs versus a plant type that has extremely low water needs,” he said.

That means there’s only so far your contractor can move plants before you start running into issues with irrigation.

The program also has an option for those who don’t want to take out their grass at all — but still want to conserve water.

“ We recognize that some areas may have very limited access to green space, and so there may be some customers that would rather prefer to keep their lawn, but may not be irrigating it efficiently,” he said.

LADWP can install free high-efficiency sprinklers instead, as well as the controller and monitoring device. Overall, it’s estimated contractors can finish the work within five to seven business days after scheduling.

How to apply

Eligibility is based on a few factors.

You have to live in a single-family home within a designated disadvantaged community — that’s a state destination tied to income levels. To check your neighborhood, use the state’s DAC map, select the layer for “Disadvantaged Communities – Census Tracts (ACS: 2016-2020)” and type in your home address in the search bar. (If your location appears in one of the shaded areas, you’re in an eligible community.)

You also need to have between 1,000 to 3,000 square feet of green grass in the front yard — even if you’re only getting the high-efficiency sprinklers— and rain gutters on the front of the home. You won’t qualify if you previously used SoCal Water Smart’s turf replacement rebate program on your front yard, but it’s fine if you only used it for your backyard.

Renters can apply if you have written permission from the property owner. Under the terms, you agree to maintain your new space for five years. So, if you move, check in with your landlord and LADWP about what that means for the deal.

The program is estimated to run through winter 2026 or until the state-funded grant is spent. McCarthy is encouraging people to apply as soon as possible.

You can do that by logging into your LADWP account and having your required documents ready, such as proof of ownership (or your landlord’s letter) and photos of your landscape. Once you select your landscape template, you can fill out the online application.