Turf Buy-Back

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Conservation today for water security tomorrow!


Transform your yard and save money with the Turf Buy-Back rebate. The Turf Buy-Back rebate is a minimum of 400 square feet and will pay you $5.00 per square foot for the first 2,500 square feet converted. Then $3.50 per square foot for 10,000 square feet.

Receive $5.00 per square foot for the first 2,500 square feet converted (minimum 400 sq. ft. required), and $3.50 per square foot for additional conversions up to 10,000 square feet. Due to limited available program funds, past projects or completed WaterWise landscapes are not eligible for payment.

Program Requirements

  • Applicants must be a City of Denton utilities water customer.
  • Applicants must be the property owner. If the property is leased the owner must give written consent.
  • Your utility account is in good standing.
  • Rebates cannot be retroactively paid for previously completed work.
  • No rebate will be paid on partial installation or completion.
  • Newly built homes within 2 years do not qualify.
  • All installations or projects must meet the individual specifications detailed in this manual.
  • All installations or projects must meet all applicable national, local, and manufacturer standards and specifications.
  • All applicable permits are the responsibility of the applicant to obtain.
  • All application submissions are subject to lawful verification or identification and entitlement to the program credit by the city.
  • A pre- and post-inspection may be required.
  • Applications for payment must be submitted within 30 days of installation or completion.
  • Program funding is restricted to the fiscal year. The City reserves the right to request that applicants downsize the project or divide it into phases for reimbursement.
  • The name on the rebate application should match the name and identification of the utility account.

Turf Buy-Back Eligibility

  • Applicant must receive a pre-inspection by a Denton city staff.
  • A Letter to Proceed will be provided. Do not start construction prior to receiving the letter or the areas will not qualify.
  • Qualifying areas must be a living, maintained lawn and be watered by a permanently installed spray irrigation system, hose end sprinkler, or hand water.
  • Grass must be in place (dormant/brown is okay). Dirt with patches of grass or weeds is not acceptable.
  • There is no incentive for previously removed grass.
  • Minimum project size is at least 400 square feet of existing lawn.
  • A landscape design is required in the application. Note if your project design changes contact us to avoid any negative impacts on your rebate offer.
  • Removal of all turf in converted area.
  • Permanent overhead spray irrigation must be capped, removed or converted to drip.
  • Right of way or easements are applicable however, these areas may be damaged in the future for city operations.

Program Steps

1. Check your eligibility in program requirements and Turf Buy-Back eligibility.

2. Fill out the application including pictures of the proposed project area and landscape design.

3. A city staff member will reach out to schedule a pre-inspection. During the pre-inspection city staff may take pictures, measure the proposed project area, and if the area is determined to be eligible for a rebate the applicant will receive a Letter to Proceed.

4. Upon approval, complete project within one year of approval.

a. If application is denied, applicant may make amendments and resubmit.

5. Once completed, email conservewater@cityofdenton.com within 30 days to schedule a post-inspection.

6. After reviewing, you will be notified of approval for payment.

7. Payment will be issued within 45 days of final approval. Payments under $500 will be applied to your water bill and payments over $500 will be issued as a check.

Qualifying Landscape Designs

Refer to the sample design here to help create a qualifying plan. Plans must be to scale and include:

1. Customer name, address, date, and north arrow.

2. Measurements and proposed square footage of project area.

3. Legend including identification and quantities of plant types and materials.

4. Outline of proposed area for construction with existing elements.

5. Location of new landscape elements, materials, and plants.

6. An outline of phasing plans, if applicable.

7. Plant bed design must show an estimated plant size maturity (3-5 years) to show that no more than 30 percent of bare mulch requirement will be met. Example for a 1000 square foot project: (30x100)÷1000=300 square feet of bare mulch/rock is allowed.

Applicants may include the following in their overall design, but these will NOT be included in the rebate-eligible square footage: hydroponic systems, storage sheds, impermeable concrete, water features/fountains/hot tubs, athletic or game sand courts, playground equipment (including but not limited to playsets, trampolines, etc.), water intensive plants (tropical plants like canna, banana, palm, etc.), and bare landscape beds.

Qualifying Parameters

Examples for the Turf Buy-Back can be found here.

Grass

Must be maintained and irrigated grass.

No more than 10% of qualifying WaterWise native grass (Buffalograss).

For walkways, defining separation of areas, and other applications please email conservewater@cityofdenton.com

NOTE: Only up to 10% of qualifying grass is allowed. If you have more than 10% of grass in your landscape design, it will be denied. If there is more than 10% of grass installed in the post inspection your rebate will be denied.

Plants

Plant beds must have an even and distributed amount of native plants. The design must have estimated plant size maturity (3-5 years) to show that no more than 30 percent of bare mulch requirement will be met. Example for a 1000 square foot project: (30x100)÷1000=300 square feet of bare mulch/rock is allowed.

Ground Cover

1-inch layer of mulch (any non-impervious material wood chips, rock, decomposed granite, etc.)

Frog fruit or horseherb

Hardscapes

The installation of permeable hardscapes such as flagstone and paver paths are permittable up to 4 ft wide.

Resources:

Create Your Own Landscape Design from Texas A&M AgriLife

Native Plant Society of Texas

Environmental Protection Agency Landscaping Tips

Nurseries are subject to availability of certain items. It is not guaranteed nurseries will have every plant.

Conservation today for water security tomorrow!


Transform your yard and save money with the Turf Buy-Back rebate. The Turf Buy-Back rebate is a minimum of 400 square feet and will pay you $5.00 per square foot for the first 2,500 square feet converted. Then $3.50 per square foot for 10,000 square feet.

Receive $5.00 per square foot for the first 2,500 square feet converted (minimum 400 sq. ft. required), and $3.50 per square foot for additional conversions up to 10,000 square feet. Due to limited available program funds, past projects or completed WaterWise landscapes are not eligible for payment.

Program Requirements

  • Applicants must be a City of Denton utilities water customer.
  • Applicants must be the property owner. If the property is leased the owner must give written consent.
  • Your utility account is in good standing.
  • Rebates cannot be retroactively paid for previously completed work.
  • No rebate will be paid on partial installation or completion.
  • Newly built homes within 2 years do not qualify.
  • All installations or projects must meet the individual specifications detailed in this manual.
  • All installations or projects must meet all applicable national, local, and manufacturer standards and specifications.
  • All applicable permits are the responsibility of the applicant to obtain.
  • All application submissions are subject to lawful verification or identification and entitlement to the program credit by the city.
  • A pre- and post-inspection may be required.
  • Applications for payment must be submitted within 30 days of installation or completion.
  • Program funding is restricted to the fiscal year. The City reserves the right to request that applicants downsize the project or divide it into phases for reimbursement.
  • The name on the rebate application should match the name and identification of the utility account.

Turf Buy-Back Eligibility

  • Applicant must receive a pre-inspection by a Denton city staff.
  • A Letter to Proceed will be provided. Do not start construction prior to receiving the letter or the areas will not qualify.
  • Qualifying areas must be a living, maintained lawn and be watered by a permanently installed spray irrigation system, hose end sprinkler, or hand water.
  • Grass must be in place (dormant/brown is okay). Dirt with patches of grass or weeds is not acceptable.
  • There is no incentive for previously removed grass.
  • Minimum project size is at least 400 square feet of existing lawn.
  • A landscape design is required in the application. Note if your project design changes contact us to avoid any negative impacts on your rebate offer.
  • Removal of all turf in converted area.
  • Permanent overhead spray irrigation must be capped, removed or converted to drip.
  • Right of way or easements are applicable however, these areas may be damaged in the future for city operations.

Program Steps

1. Check your eligibility in program requirements and Turf Buy-Back eligibility.

2. Fill out the application including pictures of the proposed project area and landscape design.

3. A city staff member will reach out to schedule a pre-inspection. During the pre-inspection city staff may take pictures, measure the proposed project area, and if the area is determined to be eligible for a rebate the applicant will receive a Letter to Proceed.

4. Upon approval, complete project within one year of approval.

a. If application is denied, applicant may make amendments and resubmit.

5. Once completed, email conservewater@cityofdenton.com within 30 days to schedule a post-inspection.

6. After reviewing, you will be notified of approval for payment.

7. Payment will be issued within 45 days of final approval. Payments under $500 will be applied to your water bill and payments over $500 will be issued as a check.

Qualifying Landscape Designs

Refer to the sample design here to help create a qualifying plan. Plans must be to scale and include:

1. Customer name, address, date, and north arrow.

2. Measurements and proposed square footage of project area.

3. Legend including identification and quantities of plant types and materials.

4. Outline of proposed area for construction with existing elements.

5. Location of new landscape elements, materials, and plants.

6. An outline of phasing plans, if applicable.

7. Plant bed design must show an estimated plant size maturity (3-5 years) to show that no more than 30 percent of bare mulch requirement will be met. Example for a 1000 square foot project: (30x100)÷1000=300 square feet of bare mulch/rock is allowed.

Applicants may include the following in their overall design, but these will NOT be included in the rebate-eligible square footage: hydroponic systems, storage sheds, impermeable concrete, water features/fountains/hot tubs, athletic or game sand courts, playground equipment (including but not limited to playsets, trampolines, etc.), water intensive plants (tropical plants like canna, banana, palm, etc.), and bare landscape beds.

Qualifying Parameters

Examples for the Turf Buy-Back can be found here.

Grass

Must be maintained and irrigated grass.

No more than 10% of qualifying WaterWise native grass (Buffalograss).

For walkways, defining separation of areas, and other applications please email conservewater@cityofdenton.com

NOTE: Only up to 10% of qualifying grass is allowed. If you have more than 10% of grass in your landscape design, it will be denied. If there is more than 10% of grass installed in the post inspection your rebate will be denied.

Plants

Plant beds must have an even and distributed amount of native plants. The design must have estimated plant size maturity (3-5 years) to show that no more than 30 percent of bare mulch requirement will be met. Example for a 1000 square foot project: (30x100)÷1000=300 square feet of bare mulch/rock is allowed.

Ground Cover

1-inch layer of mulch (any non-impervious material wood chips, rock, decomposed granite, etc.)

Frog fruit or horseherb

Hardscapes

The installation of permeable hardscapes such as flagstone and paver paths are permittable up to 4 ft wide.

Resources:

Create Your Own Landscape Design from Texas A&M AgriLife

Native Plant Society of Texas

Environmental Protection Agency Landscaping Tips

Nurseries are subject to availability of certain items. It is not guaranteed nurseries will have every plant.

Page last updated: 02 Jun 2025, 09:59 AM