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LawnPayday

Albuquerque water rebate

Get paid to ditch your lawn.

Albuquerque pays up to $3.00 per sq ft to swap grass for a living, water-wise yard. See your rebate in 30 seconds.

How it works

  1. 1

    Check your rebate

    Trace your grass on a satellite map and see your rebate, cost and water savings.

  2. 2

    Pick your pro

    Choose from hand-picked landscapers who know the rebate, or do it yourself.

  3. 3

    We walk you through the paperwork

    You apply to the water utility yourself. We and your landscaper help with pre-approval, the plan and the final inspection.

Not a rock yard.

The rebate pays for a living yard, not a gravel lot. Real plants mean shade, color and a cooler house, on a fraction of the water.

  • Shade trees and flowering shrubs, not bare rock
  • Wildflowers that bloom from spring to frost
  • Mulch and plants keep the ground cooler than gravel
  • Plants are required for the rebate anyway, so do it right
Illustration of the same yard as a planted xeriscape with a desert willow, shrubs, wildflowers and mulch
Illustration of a thirsty grass lawn in front of an adobe-style house
BeforeAfter
Illustration. Real Albuquerque project photos coming soon.

Why homeowners use LawnPayday

  • Hand-picked, rebate-ready pros

    Every landscaper is licensed, insured and checked by us before they're listed.

  • You choose who calls

    Your request only goes to the pros you pick. We never sell or blast your info.

  • Official rules, kept current

    Our numbers follow ABCWUA's published program, last checked Oct 22, 2026. Read the rules

  • Honest numbers

    Rebates cover part of the cost, not all of it. We show what you'd really pay.

The 5 steps to your Albuquerque rebate

Do them in this order. Skipping ahead, especially pulling grass before step 4, can cost you the rebate.

  1. Make a planting plan

    Pick plants from the ABCWUA Xeriscaping Guide and list each one by its scientific name with its rebate points. A pro can do this for you.

  2. Apply online

    Submit the application and plan at abcwua.org.

  3. Book the first inspection

    Call 505-289-3026 (weekdays 8am–2pm). Slots usually take 1–2 weeks.

  4. Get approved, then start

    Once approved, your rebate is reserved and you have 6 months to finish.

  5. Final inspection, then the credit

    After it passes, the rebate shows up as a credit on your water bill.

Source: ABCWUA xeriscape rebate rules

Questions homeowners ask

What will it cost me after the rebate?

Pro installs in Albuquerque usually run about $6 to $10 per sq ft, and the rebate pays up to $3.00 of that. Our calculator shows your out-of-pocket range for a pro or for doing it yourself.

Is LawnPayday free?

Yes, always free for homeowners. Landscapers pay us a small commission only when a job is finished.

How long does it take?

Booking the first inspection takes about 1–2 weeks. After approval you have 6 months to finish, and the credit shows up on your water bill 1–2 billing cycles after the final inspection.

Can I start pulling up grass now?

Not yet. Get the inspector's pre-approval first. Removing grass before the inspection can cost you the whole rebate.

Can I just put down gravel?

No. The rebate requires a planting plan that replants at least half the area, plus mulch between plants. That's why we say: not a rock yard.

I'm in an HOA. Can I still do this?

Usually. Many HOAs now allow water-wise yards, but most want to review your plan first. Get your HOA's approval in writing before you start.

Do landscapers get my number right away?

Only the ones you choose. If you'd rather not pick, we'll send your request to one best match.

See what your yard is worth.

Albuquerque pays up to $3.00 per sq ft. It takes 30 seconds.

Want to see who does the work? Meet our hand-picked pros