In an effort to encourage city residential and commercial water users to be more water-efficient, the Santa Maria Utilities Department is instituting its first Smart Landscape Rebate Program.

The program will provide incentives to both residential and commercial water customers to replace water-thirsty landscapes using inefficient irrigation, with water-wise plants and efficient irrigation.
 
Separate applications are available for residential and commercial customers. Applications can cover a portion of the cost of pre-approved design, irrigation equipment, and landscape materials.

Projects must be pre-approved, and landscapes for new construction are not eligible, the city said. Also, the program is not retroactive, and sale receipts and/or contractor invoices are required for all rebates.

There will be two rounds of applications to apply for the Smart Landscape Rebate Program. For the first round, applications will be accepted from Wednesday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 30.

Round two will be for Fiscal Year 2025-26 with the application period opening July 1, 2025.
 
For more information and to download an application click here.

Participation forms are also available for pick up at the following locations:
• Santa Maria Regional Landfill, 2065 E. Main St.
• Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S. McClelland St.
• Community Development, 110 S. Pine St.

For more, contact Myra Ritchie, water conservation specialist, at Santa Maria Utilities Department, 805-925-0951 ext. 7235, or email mritchie@cityofsantamaria.org.