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Date Adopted:
Date Approved:
Effective Date:
City Attorney Approval: ______
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Resolution No.
RESOLUTION NO. ____________
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING MODIFICATIONS TO
THE LAWN TO GARDEN REBATE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, on July 3, 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board, adopted the “Making Conservation a California Way of Life” regulation, which implements AB 1668 and SB 606. The regulation is intended to achieve long -term water use efficiency with the purpose of adapting to climate change by establishing unique goals for each urban retail water supplier in California. The newly adopted regulations emphasize commercial, industrial, and industrial (CII) water use and require that “each urban retail water supplier shall annually classify each commercial, industrial and Institutional water user, based on the end -use of water for the water user. ” Further, the regulations address converting landscaping for commercial industrial, and institutional users, requiring that the City offer best management practices for customers that exceed a recommended size, volume water use, or other threshold and identify all existing CII water users associated with large landscapes and calculate a budget for those CII water users; and WHEREAS, the City of Fresno (City) is committed to water conservation and the protection of its water supply; and
WHEREAS, the City has adopted water conservation restrictions and enforcement procedures to ensure compliance with statewide conservation requirements; and WHEREAS, the City offers a variety of rebates to qualified customers, with the goal of offsetting a portion of the customer’s cost of installing water -efficient fixtures and landscaping materials; and
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WHEREAS, the City was awarded funding from the Department of Water Resource: Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program, approved by Resolution 2023-031, to provide additional rebates and incentives for residential and commercial water customers to replace existing lawns with water efficient landscapes per the Urban Water Management Planning Act and Sustainable Water Use and Demand Reduction Act; and
WHEREAS, one of these rebates is the Lawn to Garden Rebate, which is available for the removal of existing lawns when replaced with water -efficient landscapes . The Lawn to Garden Rebate Program was last modified by Resolution 2021-100; and WHEREAS, the City now wishes to modify the existing "Lawn -to-Garden Rebate Program" program in accordance with recommendations made by the City’s consultant, Richard Heath and Associates Inc., following a comprehensive multi -city study on lawn replacement programs. These modifications aim to align with state water management requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Fresno as follows:
1. The “Lawn-to-Garden Rebate Program” shall be renamed the “Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate Program.”
2. To qualify for the “Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate Program,” applicants must complete the landscaping process in accordance with the Terms and Conditions outlined in the application. The Terms and Conditions of the “Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate” are attached as Exhibit A. The Director of Public Utilities is authorized to amend
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the Terms and Conditions for the “Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate” program as needed, to achieve the rebate program's objectives.
3. The “Eligibility Requirements” and “Terms and Conditions ” for the “Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate Program,” which modify the current Lawn to Garden Rebate Program requirements, are as follows:
a. The minimum allowable area eligible for rebate is 200 square feet of lawn.
b. The maximum allowable area eligible for rebate for a residential account is 1,500 square feet of viable lawn removed. The maximum allowable area eligible for rebate for a commercial account is increased from 1,500 square feet of viable lawn removed to 4,000 square feet of lawn removed. c. The rebate applies to lawn replacement in front yard areas only. To qualify as a “front yard area,” the areas of lawn removed must be viewable from the street.
d. The available rebate is increased from $1.05 per square foot to $2.00 per square foot.
e. The lawn replacements performed under the “ Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate” are intended to be permanent.
4. The Director of Public Utilities, or designee, is authorized to regularly update the online resource documents specific to this rebate program.
5. The Director or Public Utilities, or designee, is authorized to take all steps necessary to update the online application process for the “Expanded Lawn to Garden
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Rebate Program” to ensure consistency with the updated eligibility requirements, terms and conditions, and the overall goals of the program.
6. To the extent this Resolution conflicts with Resolution 2014 -181 (Water Conservation Act) and Resolution 2021-100, this Resolution controls.
7. Applicants, landscape contractors, and suppliers will be solely responsible for all costs associated with the lawn conversion.
8. Beginning on January 1, 2027 , the available rebate per square foot shall revert to $1.05. All “Eligibility Requirements” and “Terms and Conditions” in effect on that date will remain the same.
9. This resolution shall be effective upon final approval.
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* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF FRESNO ) ss.
CITY OF FRESNO )
I, TODD STERMER, City Clerk of the City of Fresno, certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Council of the City of Fresno, at a regular meeting held on the day of 2025.
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT :
ABSTAIN :
Mayor Approval: , 2025
Mayor Approval/No Return: , 2025
Mayor Veto: , 2025
Council Override Vote: , 2025
TODD STERMER, CMC
City Clerk
By:
Deputy Date
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ANDREW JANZ
City Attorney
By:
Jennifer M. Quintanilla Date
Senior Deputy City Attorney
Attachment:
Exhibit A – Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate Program Terms and Conditions City Of Fresno Account #: ______________
Water Conservation Program Tracking #: ______________ Expanded Lawn to Garden: Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions
☐ A landscape consultation, performed by a City of Fresno Water Conservation specialist, is required. A work request will be generated for this service once the consultation questionnaire is approved. ☐ Projects that have been started or completed prior to the Water Conservation Program’s review and approval will NOT be eligible. The rebate program is not retroactive.
☐ A viable lawn or evidence of the previous lawn must remain in place until your approved start date. ☐ The minimum allowable area eligible for rebate is 200 square feet of lawn. ☐ The maximum allowable area for Residential properties is 1,500 square feet. The maximum allowable area for Commercial, Industrial, or Institutional properties is 4,000 square feet. ☐ All existing non-drip irrigation must be capped below grade. ☐ This program does not specify the method of lawn removal. ☐ Artificial turf is not allowed in the converted portion of landscape. Rebate does not cover artificial turf. ☐ Converted landscape must include plants at a minimum of 33% of the converted area at maturity. ☐ Converted landscape may only include low-water use, drought-tolerant and/or California native plants. (Consult with a landscape/nursery specialist for recommendations)
☐ At least one tree, either existing in the converted lawn area or new, must be incorporated. Must be 15 ft. tall minimum at maturity.
☐ All exposed soil surfaces must be covered with 3-4 inches of approved mulch; this includes landscapes that are converting to lawn alternative options such as Myoporum or Kurapia. Approved mulch types shall consist of either organic materials, such as bark chips, or inorganic materials, such as rock or decomposed granite. ☐ Rock materials can cover no more than 35% of the converted landscape area. This includes bricks, pavers, decomposed granite (limited to 25%), boulders, river rock, and gravel. Concrete is not allowed. Excess rock or concrete will reduce the rebate amount or disqualify the application. Refer to Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-2307 for details. FMC Link ☐ Impervious decks or patios are not allowed as part of the rebated converted landscape. ☐ Structures such as outbuildings or sheds are not allowed as part of the rebated square footage. ☐ All bricks and pavers must be filled with loose material such as paver sand. ☐ Lawn to Garden landscape conversion must be completed within 120 days of application approval. ☐ The lawn replacements performed under the “Expanded Lawn to Garden Rebate” are intended to be permanent. ☐ You consent to allowing the City of Fresno to use before and after photos of the water-wise landscape for promotional purposes.
EXHIBIT A