Step 1: Apply Online
Submit an application including business information, project proposal, and required documentation. A detailed checklist of information and documents you'll need is provided in the How to Apply section below. 

Step 2: Pre-Inspection
Conservation staff will review your proposal and may schedule an on-site visit to assess and confirm project details. Staff may also request additional documents if needed to make eligibility determinations.  If everything looks good, staff will email you a formal Notice to Proceed (written approval to begin your work). No work may begin until you've received the Notice to Proceed. Projects started prior to receiving a Notice to Proceed will be ineligible for funding.

Step 3: Start Your Project
You'll have 120 days to complete the conversion project after receiving the notice to proceed. Failure to respond to correspondence by outlined deadlines or complete project within 120 days will result in the project funding being forfeited to other applicants on the program waitlist.

Step 4: Post-Inspection & Incentive
Once you have completed your project, notify Town conservation staff. Town staff will verify that the conversion meets all program requirements and may request project receipts and paid invoices. Incentive payments for completed and approved projects will be provided via direct deposit within approximately 6 weeks of staff verifying project completion & documentation submission.

• Non-residential potable water customers within the Town of Queen Creek water service area.

• Eligible entities include commercial businesses, industrial facilities, homeowner associations (HOAs), schools, parks, municipal properties, and multi-family residential properties.

• Proposed turf conversion projects must be approved by the authorized representative and/or board.

• Existing natural grass within the conversion area must be healthy and regularly irrigated with metered potable water, with at least 50% living coverage at the time of inspection (dormant grass is acceptable).

• Conversion from: existing natural grass only - areas consisting of bare ground, artificial turf, existing desert-adapted plants with gravel, or partially completed turf conversion projects at the time of application are not eligible.

• Conversion to: low-water-use landscaping and/or limited artificial turf areas (see below for limitations).

• Applicants must have a bank account capable of receiving direct deposits, as all program incentives will be disbursed exclusively via the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system.

• Projects must not be started before receiving a Notice to Proceed– retroactive incentives will not be permitted for existing or partially completed projects.

• Incentive Amount: $2/sq ft

  • Grass removal conversion projects shall result in low-water-use landscapes and/or limited areas of artificial turf (limited to a maximum of 5% of the total landscapable area and sections no larger than 1,000 square feet).

  Maximum Incentive: $20,000 per property annually

• Low-water-use plants from the Phoenix AMA 5th Management Plan Low Water Use and Drought Tolerant Plant List only.

• Minimum 30% canopy coverage at plant maturity for any plant on the Phoenix AMA 5th Management Plan Low Water Use and Drought Tolerant Plant List.

• Shrubs and accent plants must be at least 1 gallon in size; trees must be 15 gallons or larger.

• A minimum 2-inch layer of mulch covering the entire area. Organic (i.e. wood mulch) and inorganic (i.e. decomposed granite) mulch are both acceptable. 

• Spray irrigation is not permitted in any of the converted area(s). 

• Hardscape cannot exceed 25% of the converted area and must be permeable, such as pavers or stepping stones. Non-permeable materials may not be included in the project area, including black plastic sheeting or concrete.

• Areas converted to artificial turf may not contain any irrigation emitters or heads.