DISTRICT APPLICATION WALKTHROUGH
SALT LAKE CITY & CLOSE-IN SUBURBS: $2.00 / SQ FT
Salt Lake City and Close-In Suburbs Water Service
Serving: Salt Lake City, Murray, Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, South Salt Lake
Salt Lake City and the close-in suburbs of Murray, Cottonwood Heights, and Holladay are served by Salt Lake City Public Utilities and Salt Lake County water systems. The rebate program pays $2.00/sqft for qualifying turf-to-xeriscape conversions with a 150 sqft minimum — lower than most other districts. Salt Lake City also enforces a ban on artificial turf in front and corner side yards that took on active enforcement status in September 2025, making genuine xeriscape conversions the only compliant option for SLC homeowners looking to reduce lawn.
SLC Water BASE RATE
$2.00/sqft
Up to $50,000 per application. Minimum 150 sq ft.
#1 Gotcha for SLC Water
Salt Lake City bans artificial turf in front and corner side yards — violations carry $50-200/day fines from the Sept 2025 enforcement deadline.
Are You Eligible?
Turf area must be at least 150 sq ft.
Pre-approval and site inspection must be completed before any removal work begins.
All existing turf must be removed to bare soil.
Drip or low-volume irrigation required in the converted zone.
Artificial turf is banned in SLC front yards and corner side yards — do not propose it as a replacement.
Final inspection required before rebate check is issued.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Do NOT remove any turf until you have pre-approval in writing. This is the #1 reason applications are rejected — and the disqualification is immediate and permanent.
Step 01
Identify your specific water provider (SLC Public Utilities, Murray City, or Salt Lake County)
Step 02
Contact that provider to confirm current rebate rates and obtain a pre-approval application
Step 03
Submit pre-approval with property address, turf area measurements, and proposed planting plan
Step 04
Schedule the pre-approval site inspection with your water provider
Step 05
Receive written approval before beginning any turf removal
Step 06
Complete installation — turf removal, low-water plants or hardscape, drip irrigation
How Much Will You Get?
1,000 sqft
$2,000
2,000 sqft
$4,000
3,000 sqft
$6,000
These are estimates. Your actual rebate depends on district verification and final inspection. For an exact calculation based on your yard size, use our rebate calculator.
SLC Water-Specific Warnings
Salt Lake City bans artificial turf in front and corner side yards — violations carry $50-200/day fines from the Sept 2025 enforcement deadline.
Removing turf before written pre-approval is received will disqualify the application.
Murray City and Cottonwood Heights may be administered through Salt Lake County rather than SLC Public Utilities — verify your specific provider.
SLC enforcement of the artificial turf ban is active as of fall 2025.
Ready to Apply? We Handle Everything.
We submit the SLC Water application, coordinate both site visits, design and install to rebate specifications, and complete all post-installation documentation. You get the yard and the check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is artificial turf banned in Salt Lake City?
Yes — SLC has banned artificial turf in front yards and corner side yards since 1995. The enforcement deadline passed in September 2025, with fines of $50-200 per day. Genuine xeriscape is the compliant alternative.
Does Murray qualify for the SLC Water rebate program?
Murray City participates in the statewide program via Salt Lake County. We verify your specific utility connection — some Murray addresses tie into SLC water — and confirm the applicable program at each property.
What's the minimum project size for SLC area rebates?
The minimum for SLC-area water providers is 150 sqft, lower than the statewide standard. Small front yards and parkstrips can qualify as long as the area meets that threshold and the strip is at least 8 ft wide.