Last week, we explored how Napa Valley residents can create attractive, water-wise gardens using climate-appropriate plants, smarter irrigation and free local resources. This week, we're looking at something that could make that project more affordable: getting paid to remove your lawn.

Several communities throughout Napa Valley offer Cash for Grass programs that provide rebates when residents replace existing lawns with approved water-efficient landscaping. The amount you can receive depends on where you live, how much lawn you remove and your water provider's requirements.

And if you're a City of Napa water customer, the timing may be particularly good. The city recently doubled its standard rebate and introduced an additional incentive for rain gardens.

How much could you receive?

Here's how the five local programs compare, based on their published terms.

Sources: official program information for Napa, American Canyon, Yountville and St. Helena. Calistoga figures come from an older program application and are not confirmed for September 2026.

Napa: Bigger rebates and a new rain garden bonus

The City of Napa's enhanced program, introduced in summer 2026, offers $2 per square foot of qualifying lawn removed. Single-family residential customers can receive up to $2,000, while eligible commercial, institutional, multifamily and HOA properties can receive up to $10,000.

The city has also introduced an additional $1 per square foot for qualifying rain gardens, which collect stormwater runoff and allow it to soak into the ground. That bonus is exempt from the standard rebate maximum.

To qualify, the finished landscape must provide at least 50% plant coverage at maturity, with permeable hardscape covering no more than half the converted area. Artificial turf is not eligible.

Getting started: Call 707-257-9497 to schedule a pre-inspection. Do not remove your lawn until you've received the city's Notice to proceed.

City of Napa Cash for Grass program

American Canyon:

Up to $750 for residential projects

American Canyon offers $1 per square foot, up to $750 for qualifying residential properties. HOAs, multifamily developments, commercial and institutional properties may qualify for rebates of up to $2,500.

Homeowners can complete the landscaping themselves or hire a contractor. Renters are also eligible with written permission from the property owner.

Applications are submitted online with photographs of the existing lawn. Approved applicants have six months to complete their projects, and the converted landscape must be maintained for at least five years.

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's worth checking availability before making plans.

American Canyon Cash for Grass program 

Yountville:

Replace your lawn and save water

Yountville offers $1 per square foot of eligible turf removed, with a maximum of $750 for single-family residential properties and $2,500 for commercial and multifamily properties.

The replacement landscape must include low-water-use plants and may incorporate permeable materials such as decomposed granite. Plants must cover at least half the converted area once mature.

The program is available to properties served by a Town of Yountville water account. A pre-inspection and approval are required, and projects must be completed within four months of receiving authorization.

Getting started: Call the town at 707-944-8851 to verify eligibility and arrange the initial inspection.

Yountville Cash for Grass program 

St. Helena:

St. Helena offers up to $1.50 per square foot for replacing turf with low-water-use plants supported by drip irrigation or approved permeable hardscape.

Residential properties can qualify for rebates of up to $750, while the commercial maximum is $2,500.

The city requires pre-installation and post-installation site visits. Artificial turf does not qualify.

St. Helena also offers rebates for smart irrigation controllers, rainwater harvesting and certain greywater systems, providing additional opportunities to reduce water consumption.

St. Helena water conservation and rebates

Calistoga: 

Calistoga also has an established Cash for Grass program. Its previously published application lists a rebate of $1 per square foot, up to $750 per parcel, for eligible properties served by the city's water system.

However, the currently available application is dated, and we have not independently confirmed whether those amounts or the program's funding have changed. Calistoga residents should contact the city before beginning a project.