Rebate opportunities are available to residences and businesses within the unincorporated area of the county. Rebates for gutters, rain barrels and cisterns, rain gardens, turf removal, and planting native plants primarily serve individual homeowners and small businesses who are looking to adjust their property, helping to save money and enhance landscapes. For larger properties, the Landscape Optimization Service provides additional support for large turf replacement projects at community centers, homeowner associations, and businesses. All of these projects improve water quality and reduce unnecessary water use by converting grass to low-water-use landscaping and harvesting rainwater by connecting roofs to rain barrels and rain gardens.

The County partners with the San Diego County Water Authority and Eastern Municipal Water District to maximize available rebates and incentives. Staff from Environmental Incentives help the County implement the program by helping participants understand the rebates that they can qualify for, coordinating with them throughout the process, and delivering quantified results once projects are completed.

Education is also an important part of the program, and the County has developed resources and materials that enhance the public’s knowledge of landscape design and plant selection, rain-saving opportunities, and irrigation. Additionally, the ongoing Rainwater Harvesting Workshop series has helped over 500 attendees learn about how to install and maintain rain barrels on residential properties. Workshops are ongoing and are offered at various locations throughout the year. At the end of each workshop, attendees who live in the unincorporated area are eligible to receive a free rain barrel!