City of Fresno outdoor rebates at a glance
- Lawn to Garden: $4 per square foot to replace front or publicly visible lawn with water-efficient plants. At least 200 sq ft; up to 10,000 sq ft for homes and 100,000 sq ft for commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. The City must approve the project by December 31, 2026, and the grant-funded rate is paid only while funds remain.
- Micro (drip) irrigation: $0.55 per square foot when drip replaces overhead spray, up to 1,000 sq ft. You must schedule a free Water-Wise Landscape Consultation before buying parts.
- High-efficiency sprinkler nozzles: up to $4.50 per qualified nozzle, minimum 6 nozzles, maximum $100.
- Smart irrigation controller: up to $105 for a WaterSense certified controller, one per account. It must be programmable to the City’s watering schedule, and City staff do an Irrigation Efficiency Audit after installation.
- Rain sensor: up to $55, one per account.
- Rain barrels: up to $55 for up to two barrels, one rebate per account.
Rebate forms go to the City’s Water Conservation Program (waterconservation@fresno.gov). Incomplete or unsigned applications are returned, so read the program rules before you buy anything. Full details: City of Fresno Water Rebates and Lawn to Garden.
Free smart controller program (Fresno)
Separately from the rebate, the City offers a free smart irrigation controller to qualifying single-family homes inside the seven council districts, first come, first served. Requirements include Wi-Fi at the home, a working controller now, at least a year of irrigation history, and an irrigation system “in good repair (no major leaks or broken sprinklers).” The homeowner installs it with a City specialist on a one-hour appointment, and it must stay installed for five years.
If your system has leaks or broken heads, fix those first. A sprinkler inspection will turn them up.
What Clovis offers
The City of Clovis lists free landscape audits, where staff help program sprinkler controllers, and a water-efficient appliance rebate program. Call Public Utilities at (559) 324-2600 to ask what currently qualifies. Clovis does not list a lawn conversion rebate on its water page.
Tips so your rebate isn’t denied
- Get the consultation or City approval before you buy parts or start work, wherever it’s required.
- Keep receipts and product model numbers.
- Program everything to your City’s watering days: Fresno and Clovis.
- Renters need the owner’s Permission to Participate form for Fresno programs.
Safety first: if you can’t stop the water, close the shutoff valve for the irrigation system, or the main shutoff to the house. Before you dig anywhere, call 811 to have buried utility lines marked.
Written by ACRE Landscape Inc, Fresno & Clovis. Updated October 26, 2026.