LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – An upcoming vote may turn the tide on how much Las Vegas residents get when removing their grass, but there are other ways to save before some turf becomes unlawful.
The roots of the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) Water Smart Landscape Program, which has incentivized removing grass, goes back to 1999.
“Our community looked a whole lot different, and it was really more of a minor incentive to try and get people to take part in this program and save some water,” Bronson Mack, SNWA spokesperson said. “But as the drought on the Colorado River continued to worsen, we saw a need to get more people involved in this program. So, we’ve changed that rebate amount over time.”
Over time the rebate amount started at 50 cents per square foot and rose to as high as $5—as recently as 2024.
“It is currently $3 per square foot for the first 10,000 square feet, and then $1 for every square foot thereafter,” Mack said.
In the past two decades, Mack said the SNWA has seen more than 241 million square feet replaced around the Las Vegas Valley. Bringing with it more diverse plants, trees, and local landscapes.
“On top of that, we’ve had over 90,000 different grass conversion projects take place in Southern Nevada,” he said. “This is a program that has been very effective to conserve and save water, but also to help us adapt to a warmer and drier future ahead.”
Saving water, saving money
The answer to getting more in return for replacing turf could be as simple as knowing your address, according to Mack.
The City of Henderson is providing an additional $575 for every homeowner who is replacing their grass. This is while City of Las Vegas residents may be in for more per square foot following an upcoming vote.
“Next week, the Las Vegas Valley Water District Board of Directors will consider adding an additional $2 for Las Vegas Valley Water District customers,” Mack said. “It’s been a very effective program, and we’ve been able to scale up those rebate amounts, and we’re continuing to find those opportunities to do that and incentivize people to replace that grass.”
The further incentivization follows a reminder of a Jan. 1, 2027, deadline to remove all non-functional grass for Southern Nevada.
“So commercial properties, multi-family, residential apartments and condos and HOAs, those are really the three primary sectors that need to take a look around their properties,” Mack said. “If they have grass, they ought to really think about replacing that grass, because come 2027 it will be illegal to irrigate.”
The SNWA has resources available for applying for more through their Water Smart Landscapes Rebate program.
