How much will they pay you to rip out your grass?
Last checked October 30, 2026
Short answer
Single-family homes get $5 per square foot from SNWA to swap grass for desert landscaping, $7 if you're an LVVWD customer, plus $575 in Henderson. Each square foot of grass removed saves about 55 gallons a year. Enter your lawn size to see your numbers.
How the math works
- Rebate: SNWA pays $5 per sq ft for the first 10,000 sq ft and $2.50 after, per property per fiscal year. LVVWD adds $2 per sq ft. Henderson adds $575 for at least 400 sq ft of functional turf, on City of Henderson water.
- Water saved: about 55 gallons per sq ft per year (sprinkler grass about 73, drip landscaping about 18).
- Money saved: the saved water comes off the top of your bill, so it's priced at the LVVWD tier your summer use reaches, plus SNWA's $0.67 per 1,000 gallon charge. Rates are LVVWD's 2026 single-family rates, which change every Jan 1. Henderson and North Las Vegas rates differ, so treat their savings as a rough guide.
Before you touch anything: SNWA requires a site visit and approval first. Grass removed before approval isn't eligible.
Common questions
How much is the Las Vegas grass removal rebate?
SNWA pays single-family homes $5 per square foot for the first 10,000 square feet and $2.50 after that, per property per fiscal year. Las Vegas Valley Water District customers get $2 more per square foot ($7, then $4.50). Henderson water customers can get an extra $575.
How much water does removing grass save?
Local officials put sprinkler grass at about 73 gallons per square foot per year and drip-irrigated desert landscaping at about 18, a savings of about 55 gallons per square foot per year. SNWA also uses the 55 gallon figure.
Can I remove the grass first and apply later?
No. SNWA requires a pre-conversion site visit and approval before you remove anything. Grass removed before approval is not eligible.
Why is my savings estimate small?
Las Vegas water is cheap in the lower tiers. Grass removal saves the most money if your bill regularly reaches the higher tiers in summer. The rebate is usually the bigger number.
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Sources
Show all 7 sources
- SNWA: Water Smart Landscapes rebate
- LVVWD: Rebates (+$2 per sq ft)
- City of Henderson: Rebate programs ($575 add-on)
- LVVWD: Water rates
- LVVWD: Service Rules Appendix I (2026 rate tables)
- FOX5: Southern Nevada boosts cash incentive for water-saving landscaping (Sept 19, 2025)
- SNWA: Understand laws and ordinances (55 gal per sq ft savings)
Rules, rebates and prices change. If something here is out of date, tell us on the share page and we'll fix it.