Turn Your Thirsty Lawn Into Cash: SNWA’s Rebate Program Made Easy

If you live in Las Vegas, Henderson, or North Las Vegas, there’s a big opportunity waiting right in your yard. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) offers a generous rebate to residents and businesses that replace water-thirsty grass with water-smart landscaping. It’s called the Water Smart Landscapes Rebate program, and it can help you save money while conserving our most precious desert resource—water. At Sun Valley Landscaping, we’re here to walk you through the process from start to finish.

Overview of the Program

The SNWA created this rebate program to encourage homeowners and commercial property owners to remove grass and install desert friendly landscaping. If you replace your lawn with a water efficient design, SNWA will pay you up to $3 per square foot for the first 10,000 square feet and $1.50 per square foot beyond that.

Why It Exists

Southern Nevada is in a desert, and outdoor water use especially for lawns is the single biggest reason homes waste water. Replacing grass with rock, mulch, drip systems, and drought-tolerant plants is a practical and environmentally smart choice.

SNWA Rebate Amounts

• $3 per square foot for the first 10,000 square feet
• $1.50 per square foot after that
• Minimum of 400 square feet required
• Maximum rebate of $500,000 per property (yes, really)

What Qualifies

To qualify, the area must be currently covered in living grass. You cannot just remove rocks or dirt. The replacement must use approved water-efficient landscaping elements.

Approved Materials and Plants

• Drip irrigation systems
• Decorative rock or mulch
• Native or desert-adapted plants
• Artificial turf (in some cases with approval)

What Not to Use

• Nonfunctional turf
• Overhead sprinklers
• High-water plants not suited for the desert

We Handle the Paperwork

The application can be confusing if you have never done it before. Our team helps with the initial paperwork, taking photos and documenting your grass-covered areas to submit to SNWA.

Expert Landscape Design

Our Las Vegas landscaping experts will design a beautiful, low-maintenance, and water-efficient yard that fits SNWA’s guidelines—and your lifestyle.

Seamless Installation

Once your rebate is approved, we’ll handle everything: removing your existing grass, installing new irrigation lines, placing rocks or mulch, and planting drought-friendly plants.

Final Inspection Support

Sun Valley Landscaping will guide you through the final approval, making sure SNWA sees your yard exactly as required so you get your full rebate.

1. Check Your Eligibility

Before you begin tearing out your lawn, make sure your property qualifies. The SNWA rebate is available to homeowners, businesses, and HOAs in the Las Vegas Valley, including Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. You must be an SNWA customer, and the area being converted must have living grass that is currently irrigated with a sprinkler system.

2. Submit an Application to SNWA

Start by filling out the Water Smart Landscapes application online through the SNWA website. This step is essential because no work can begin until your application is reviewed and approved. Once submitted, you will be contacted to schedule a pre-conversion site visit from an SNWA representative.

Sun Valley Landscaping can assist you in completing and submitting your application, making sure all documentation is in order and nothing delays your approval.

3. Get Your Pre-Conversion Inspection

An SNWA specialist will visit your property to confirm that there is live turf present and to measure the area you plan to convert. This site visit is required to document your yard before any changes are made. The inspector may also provide helpful guidelines about what plants and materials qualify for the rebate program.

Our team at Sun Valley Landscaping is happy to be present for this inspection to ensure everything is properly documented and to answer any questions the inspector might have.

4. Begin Your Landscape Conversion

Once approved, you have 12 months to complete the turf replacement project. You will need to remove all grass in the designated areas and replace it with desert-friendly, water-efficient landscaping. This can include:

• Decorative rock or mulch
• Drought-tolerant plants
• Drip irrigation systems
• Artificial turf (must meet specific SNWA guidelines)

Sun Valley Landscaping will handle every aspect of your conversion, from turf removal to installing drip irrigation, trees, shrubs, hardscaping, and even synthetic turf where applicable.

5. Schedule Your Final Inspection

After the work is completed, a second SNWA inspection is required. This post-conversion inspection ensures the changes meet program standards. They will confirm that all grass has been removed and that the new landscaping complies with the rules, including plant spacing, coverage requirements, and irrigation upgrades.

We make sure your project is done correctly the first time, so your rebate is not delayed or denied.

6. Receive Your Rebate

Once your final inspection passes, SNWA will calculate your rebate based on the square footage of turf removed. You can earn up to $3.00 per square foot for the first 10,000 square feet and $1.50 per square foot after that. The rebate is usually issued in the form of a check within several weeks of your final approval.

Sun Valley will follow up with you and help track your rebate progress so you know exactly when to expect your payment.

Switching to a water-smart landscape is not just good for the environment, it is a smart move for your wallet and property value. The Southern Nevada Water Authority’s rebate program helps homeowners and businesses save thousands of gallons of water each year. Less water usage means lower monthly bills, and with Las Vegas water rates continuing to rise, these savings add up fast.

In addition to lowering your water bill, you will also save time and money on lawn care. No more weekend mowing, fertilizing, or sprinkler repairs. With drip irrigation and low-maintenance plants, your landscape stays beautiful with minimal upkeep. That means fewer hours working in the yard and more time enjoying it.

From a real estate perspective, water-efficient yards are becoming more attractive to buyers. Future homeowners in Las Vegas are looking for outdoor spaces that look good year-round without high upkeep costs. A desert-friendly design installed by a professional landscaper shows pride of ownership and smart planning.

Whether you are a homeowner, a property manager, or a local business, making the switch adds curb appeal, reduces long-term costs, and increases the efficiency of your outdoor space.

Navigating a government rebate program can be confusing, but you do not have to do it alone. Sun Valley Landscaping is a trusted Las Vegas landscaping company that guides you through the entire Water Smart Landscapes process from start to finish. Our team helps you determine eligibility, measure your turf area, complete the paperwork, and install your new water-saving landscape to SNWA standards.

We are more than just landscapers. We are a family run business with strong local roots and a reputation for high-quality work and customer satisfaction. Our team understands the unique challenges of Las Vegas yards, including the heat, soil conditions, and city regulations. That experience helps us build long-lasting landscapes that qualify for the rebate and exceed expectations.

We stay current on SNWA guidelines and maintain close communication with their team to ensure our work meets all program requirements. You get peace of mind knowing your project is being handled by professionals who care about your home and understand the rebate system inside and out.

Choosing Sun Valley means getting personal service, honest guidance, and results that add beauty and value to your home for years to come.

Include Hardscaping

Add paver patios, walkways, or retaining walls for structure and style. These features qualify under the rebate when replacing grass.

Use Artificial Turf

In some cases, SNWA allows synthetic turf if installed according to specific guidelines. We’ll help make sure your artificial turf project qualifies.

Add Lighting

Consider energy efficient landscape lighting to highlight your new yard and boost nighttime curb appeal.

Las Vegas

We proudly serve homeowners and businesses throughout Las Vegas with water-smart landscaping and rebate support.

Henderson

Henderson residents can take full advantage of the rebate with our team’s help from start to finish.

North Las Vegas

From HOA common areas to personal front yards, we bring smart landscaping solutions to North Las Vegas.

Make the Switch with Sun Valley Landscaping

There’s never been a better time to upgrade your yard. The SNWA Water Smart Landscapes rebate pays you to improve your home, save water, and enjoy a yard that looks amazing all year.

Sun Valley Landscaping is ready to help you through the entire process. We’ll design, install, and even help submit the paperwork to get you the maximum rebate.

Call 725.324.4014 or request your free estimate today. Let’s make your yard water smart, beautiful, and easy to maintain.