ABCWUA Xeriscape Rebate Help for Turf and Lawn Removal

Also called a lawn removal rebate, turf removal rebate, or cash-for-grass program

Some homeowners search for a lawn removal rebate, grass removal rebate, turf replacement rebate, water rebate for landscaping, or cash-for-grass program. In Albuquerque, the official ABCWUA program is the Xeriscape Rebate. It applies to qualifying turf-to-xeriscape conversions in the Water Authority service area and requires application, initial inspection, and approval before any turf removal begins. ABCWUA also directs customers to 505Outside (505outside.com) for more details about xeriscape rebates, plant selection, watering, and outdoor conservation resources. All rebate amounts, eligibility rules, and program terms are set and controlled by ABCWUA — confirm current rules at abcwua.org.

What ABCWUA controls

• Rebate eligibility
• Application review
• Initial inspection of existing turf
• Approval (Notice to Proceed) for the conversion plan
• Final inspection
• Rebate amount (currently $3.00 per qualifying square foot)
• Available funding and payment timing

What this consultation request line can help with

• Routing the request to a local provider familiar with the ABCWUA process
• Help preparing a rebate-ready conversion plan: plant counts from the ABCWUA Xeriscape Guide list, mulch coverage, and the drip-conversion approach
• Help understanding the order of operations: application, initial inspection, approval, then installation
• Help preparing post-conversion documentation, including itemized zero-balance receipts
• Written design proposal and itemized pricing before any installation work begins

Typical rebate-ready project flow

1. Submit a consultation request with the property address, water provider, turf square footage, current irrigation, and timeline.
2. If the address is in the ABCWUA service area and a provider is available, the request is routed.
3. The provider visits the property, photographs existing conditions, and prepares a rebate-ready conversion plan.
4. The property owner (or authorized account contact) submits the ABCWUA online application. Do not remove turf yet.
5. ABCWUA conducts an initial inspection of the existing turf and approves (or denies) the conversion plan. Approved projects receive a Notice to Proceed.
6. Approved projects move to installation: turf removal, drip / bubbler / hand-water conversion, plant install, hardscape, and mulch coverage of at least 3 inches between plants.
7. The property owner submits itemized zero-balance receipts or contractor invoices and requests a final inspection.
8. ABCWUA conducts the final inspection and processes the rebate.

Common ABCWUA conversion requirements

Requirements change periodically and should be verified at abcwua.org. The Water Authority currently lists the following provisions:

• Application, initial inspection, and approval before any turf removal
• Plant allowance from the ABCWUA Xeriscaping Guide plant list
• Spray irrigation in the conversion area must be capped or converted to drip, bubblers, or hand-watering
• At least 3 inches of mulch between plants
• Itemized zero-balance receipts or contractor invoices at final inspection
• Property must be inside the ABCWUA service area and on an active ABCWUA water account
• Rebate-eligible work generally must be completed within ABCWUA’s fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) for that program cycle

What if my address is in Rio Rancho?

Rio Rancho is not part of the ABCWUA xeriscape rebate program. Rio Rancho has its own City of Rio Rancho Outdoor Rebates program with separate rules, pre-approval requirements, minimum turf requirements, and rebate amounts. Current City guidance says pre-approval is required before beginning a xeriscape project, and at least 250 square feet of real grass turf must still be in place during the pre-approval process. Confirm current rules directly with the City of Rio Rancho Water Conservation Office before planning a Rio Rancho project around any rebate. Confirm current Rio Rancho rules at rrnm.gov/4053/Outdoor-Rebates.

What this site does not do

• We are not ABCWUA and do not approve, deny, or pay rebates.
• We do not guarantee a project will be approved for the rebate.
• We do not guarantee the current rebate amount, available funding, or payment timing — all set by ABCWUA.
• We do not handle rebate inspections — those are conducted by ABCWUA.
• We do not represent that any project will save a specific amount of water or money.