Grass-to-Xeriscape Landscape Rebate
Did you know that more than half of the water
used by homeowners can be spent on outdoor watering?
If you currently have a landscape consisting of
grass, converting it into an attractive low-water
using landscape is one of the best ways to conserve
water and energy, save money on your water bill, and
create a landscape that is much easier to maintain.
To assist our customers with this water-saving
alternative, the City of Mesa is offering a
Grass-to-Xeriscape rebate.
ABOUT THE REBATE
PROGRAM
The purpose of the Grass-to-Xeriscape program is
to help our customers reduce their landscape water
use by half or more by replacing their water-thirsty
lawns with landscape plants appropriate to our
Sonoran Desert climate. When you remove 500 square
feet or more of established grass and replace it
with a water-thrifty landscape, the City of Mesa
will rebate $1 per square foot of grass that is
removed up to a $500 maximum rebate. The new
program took effect July 25, 2007.
WHAT DOES XERISCAPE
MEAN?
Xeriscape (zeer-a-scape) is a term that defines a
creative approach to landscaping that includes the
use of well-adapted plants, efficient irrigation,
careful design, and proper maintenance. When used
together, these principles produce superior
landscapes that save both water and energy.
Xeriscape also creates or replaces habitat needed by
wildlife, and helps to create shade for people, our
homes, and our communities.
REQUIREMENTS AND
ELIGIBILITY
Read these guidelines prior to
filling out your application.
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1. The applicant must be the current
owner of a single-family home and a City of
Mesa water customer.
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2. Contact us before you start! The
rebate is not retroactive prior to the
approval date, and is not applicable to
conversion projects that take place without
the approval of the Utilities Department.
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3. Grass must be relatively healthy.
Under this program ‘healthy’ shall be
defined as routinely irrigated and manicured
with an average coverage of 70 percent.
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4. The converted area must be replaced
with low-water using plants that, when fully
mature, will cover at least 50 percent of
the area (grass cannot be replaced with just
rock). See page two of
program requirements for details.
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5. No fountains exist on the property
unless they are a cascading, or non-spray
design.
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6. No body of water exists on the
property that has a surface area greater
than 1,000 square feet.
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7. Spray irrigation and non-pervious
materials such as black plastic sheeting are
not permitted in the rebated area. A
concrete surface cannot take up more than 25
percent of the rebated area.
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8. 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.
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9. The grass removal or installation of
the Xeriscape must not conflict with other
City of Mesa landscaping requirements as
prescribed by existing policies, procedures,
or ordinances.
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10. Homeowners who are members of a
Homeowner’s Association (HOA) must ensure
that the new landscape complies with HOA
Covenants, Codes & Restrictions (CC&Rs).
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11. Only one rebate is allowed per
property.
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| 12. The following would not be eligible:
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a. New residential homes built within
the past year of the application date.
b. Any properties that are not
single-family residential, including
common areas owned by HOAs.
c. Any grass areas that are watered by
wells or flood irrigation water.
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INSPECTIONS AND
DEADLINES FOR APPLICANTS
The property will be inspected and a photograph
taken before the conversion/installation takes
place. The applicant then has a six-month period to
complete the conversion. Upon completion, the
property will be re-inspected to ensure compliance
with the Grass-to-Xeriscape requirements. If the
conversion fails inspection, the applicant will be
allowed 60 days or the remaining six-month period,
whichever is greater, to fully comply with the
program requirements.
The Grass-to-Xeriscape rebate program is
effective beginning July 25, 2007 and replaces the
previous water development fee rebate program. A
yearly budget of $50,000 will be distributed on a
first-come, first-served basis. Continuation of the
program is subject to the availability of funds.
Program requirements are subject to change.
HOW TO APPLY and CONTACT
INFORMATION
You can get an application in one of the
following ways:
Need help getting started with your
grass-to-Xeriscape conversion? Request a conversion packet
online or over the phone.
It contains helpful booklets and ideas to get you
through the process. If you have any questions, call
480-644-4444
or visit www.Mesaaz.gov/utilities/conservation. |
