Residential Grass-to-Xeriscape and Tree Bonus Incentive Program

Projects
The applicant must be the current owner of a single-family home and a Mesa water customer. This program is for future grass removal and conversion projects only. Completed projects do not count. One incentive is allowed per property.

Complete your application BEFORE you start your conversion project!

Pre-Inspection
Mesa's Environmental and Sustainability Department (ESD) staff must inspect the property before work begins (do not remove grass before Mesa approval). 

Grass Condition
Grass must be relatively healthy at time of application and initial inspection. Under this program ‘healthy’ shall be defined as routinely irrigated and manicured with an average coverage of 70 percent (70%). Partial acceptance of grassy areas is possible, per our discretion at time of initial inspection. Areas of grass that are a mix of poor and healthy may qualify for partial inclusion in the conversion area. 

Ineligible Grass
Any grass areas watered by wells or flood irrigation water are not eligible. Only landscapes watered by potable water that can be measured through a city water meter are eligible. 

Minimum Size
Applicants must plan to remove at least 500 square feet of grass and comply with the detailed program requirements listed in this document for the conversion area.

Area Measurement
ESD staff will measure the conversion area via Maricopa County Assessor’s website maps and/or in person inspections. These measurements will be considered final. Measurements provided by the applicant will be reviewed but will not be the final measurement used for the incentive calculation. Eligible reimbursement includes areas for which the property is responsible to water and maintain as required by landscape contracts or law. 

Canopy Calculation
Plant canopy coverage square footage is calculated with the formula for area of a circle. Individual plant canopy coverage amounts for most eligible plants at maturity are available on the Plant Square Footage Calculator.

Prohibited Items
Spray irrigation and non-pervious materials (such as black plastic sheeting) are not permitted in the converted area. A concrete surface cannot take up more than 25 percent (25%) of the converted area.

Replacement Plants
The converted grass area must be replaced with low-water-use plants that, when fully mature, will provide a plant canopy coverage of at least 50 percent (50%) of the area. Grass cannot be replaced with just artificial turf or rock. All new plants must be on the Arizona Department of Water Resources Low-Water-Use/Drought-Tolerant Plant List. A subset of all allowable low-water-use plants is available in a user-friendly online format. New plantings of high-water-use plants do not count towards coverage.

Tree Bonus
Add 1-2 low-water-use trees anywhere on your property to receive up to $100 more.  Trees add value by cleaning the air, shading our homes, and cooling our neighborhoods. 

Mulch
The new landscape must be covered with a minimum of a 2” deep layer of organic or inorganic mulch (such as granite or rock). Other materials may qualify. No black plastic sheeting underlay is allowed.

Existing Trees & Plants
The trunks and stems of new or existing low-water-use trees and plants must be located in the ground in the converted area to count towards the coverage requirement. Existing high-water-use trees with trunks located in the conversion area may count towards the coverage requirement, 75 sq. ft. for citrus and 100 sq. ft. for ash and ficus.

Water Features
No fountains allowed on the property unless they are a cascading, or non-spray design. No body of water can exist on the property that has a surface area greater than 1,000 square feet.

HOA & Historic District Restrictions
Homeowners who are members of a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) must ensure that the new landscape complies with HOA Covenants, Codes & Restrictions (CC&Rs). Approvals may also be required in designated historic districts.

W9 & Tax Forms
A W9 form is required once project is completed, and final approval is given. We will issue a 1099 form. A tax advisor can assist with any questions about this.

Artificial Grass
Conversions adding only artificial turf do not qualify. You can incorporate artificial turf into your yard, but you will still need to include enough low-water-use plants to cover 50% of the area where the grass is currently living. Please note that artificial turf does not provide shade and contributes to the heat island effect. More information about why artificial turf may not be what you’re looking for can be found at: 10 Reasons Why Artificial Turf May Not Be What You're Looking For.

New Builds
New residential homes built within the past year of the application date are ineligible.

The following incentive amounts are available to qualified customers: 

500-999 sq ft (no trees) = $750                                         

500-999 sq ft + Tree Bonus (1 qualifying tree) = $800

500-999 sq ft + Tree Bonus (2 qualifying trees) = $850

1,000+ sq ft (no trees) = $1,000

1,000+ sq ft + Tree Bonus (1 qualifying tree) = $1,050

1,000+ sq ft + Tree Bonus (2 qualifying trees) = $1,100

• The property will be inspected via online/aerial imagery and current photographs must be provided before the conversion/installation takes place.
• We will provide applicants with a notice to proceed via an approval email after the initial inspection. No work can be done before an approval to proceed is given. The applicant then has a six-month period to complete the conversion.
• If the conversion fails initial inspection, the applicant will be allowed 60 days or the remaining six-month period, whichever is greater, to fully comply with the program requirements.
• Upon completion of the project, the property will be re-inspected, either in person or via applicant photographs, to ensure compliance with the Grass-to-Xeriscape requirements.
• Applicants will be required to provide us with a W9 form for tax purposes, which requires you to submit  a tax identification number. Once your project is complete, email a scanned, signed copy directly to conservation.info@mesaaz.gov.

Check out the complete list of Low Water Use Drought Tolerant Plants for your landscape.

A subset of all allowable low-water-use plants is available in a user-friendly format: Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert.

Request a printed copy

1. The Tree Bonus is available ONLY to customers who are current applicants for the Grass-to-Xeriscape landscape incentive program. Trees planted prior to or after the completion of an approved conversion project do not count.
2. If applicant does not meet Grass-to-Xeriscape landscape incentive requirements and eligibility, applicant does not qualify to receive the Tree Bonus.
3. Contact us before you start! The Tree Bonus is not retroactive to trees planted prior to the approval date and is not applicable to tree installations that take place without our approval. Existing trees on the property do not count.
4. Only one Tree Bonus is eligible per property, for up to two trees.
5. Tree(s) must be on the Arizona Department of Water Resources list of Low Water Use Drought Tolerant Plants for the Phoenix Active Management Area. High-water-use trees (such as citrus, ash, or ficus) are ineligible.
6. Tree(s) purchased must be at least one gallon in size. Seedlings and young trees less than two feet tall are ineligible.
7. Tree placement does not have to be in the area where grass removal occurs. However, if it is planted outside the conversion area, it will not count towards plant coverage requirements of the Grass-to-Xeriscape program.
8. Tree(s) must be planted in the ground.
9. Owner must ensure that the tree is planted properly (not too deeply) for it to qualify. See video on proper tree installation. 

There are many resources provided here for helping you get your tree into the right place and keeping it healthy for years to come!

Selection & Placement

• Consider planting where you will get the most shade to cool your home or desired area of your yard.
• Be sure your chosen tree(s) are low-water use (see Requirement #5 under Tree Bonus).
• Call AZ Blue Stake 8-1-1 before digging to identify underground utility locations.
• Choose a tree that will fit in your chosen area – use the information in Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert to see the size of a tree at full maturity. Be aware of buildings, overhead utilities, fences, and neighbors. (Order a printed copy).
• Incorporate rainwater harvesting techniques wherever you can to capture free rainwater. Get water to slow, spread & soak.

Installation & Maintenance

• Proper maintenance, including installation, is highlighted in Xeriscape: Landscaping with Style in the Arizona Desert.
• It is critical to plant at the right depth – not too deeply. The top of the root ball should be about one inch above the ground – it will settle. Place organic mulch on the surface of the planting area but keep all mulch a few inches away from the tree trunk.
• Be sure to remove the nursery stake (directly against the tree trunk). Only add staking if needed for no more than one year.
• Use native soil without fertilizer to backfill the hole dug to plant the tree.
• Don’t prune your new tree for one year – let it get strong and healthy.
• Fall and spring are the best times to plant your trees, before the stress of the hot summer. Landscape Watering by the Numbers can help you determine watering frequency as the tree gets established and beyond.
• Trees should be on a separate valve of the irrigation system for optimal watering amounts and frequency.
• New trees require more water as they get established. You will be able to reduce the watering after about 2 years in the ground.

Need more help? Check out our All About Trees page to learn about: 

• Hiring a Pro
• Tree Selection
• Planting
• How to videos
• Irrigation
• Pruning

It's important to choose the right landscaper who can create your dream landscape that will last for years to come. Below are some resources to help you identify the best landscaper for you.

How Do I Select a Landscape Professional? 

Smartscape Professionals Directory 

Know Your Pro: Tips for Selecting Professional Services

Sustainable Landscape Management® (SLM®)

• Keep Your Landscape From Soaking You 
• Top 10 Reasons to Not Overseed
• Top 10 Reasons to Convert to Xeriscape 
• Water Management/Incentives for HOAs
• Water Management/Incentives for Commercial Customers
• Green Building and Green Business Certification
• Living Green & Sustainability Programs
• Sign up for the Landscape Watering Reminder, a monthly watering schedule and reminder.
• Stop Shearing Shrubs(PDF, 2MB)
•  (PDF, 2MB)ADWR Plant Lists and other resources for planning, installing and maintaining beautiful, water-efficient landscapes.
• Neighborhoods & Community Engagement (Mesa services and assistance.)

• Water – Use It Wisely has a helpful page that talks about grass – should you keep it, how to care for it, how to remove it. All the details are there! Check it out while you are considering the grass-to-Xeriscape incentive.

• Mesa's Climate Action Plan has set ambitious goals for cleaner air, lower energy use, and reduced urban heat. These can all be positively affected by removing grass and planting a landscape with trees and desert-adapted plants.
  
  
• Top 10 Reasons to Convert to Xeriscape