Rebate Program

As of January 1, the California state's new Green Building Code requires that new buildings with an irrigation system have smart irrigation controllers, which automatically adjust sprinkler times based on the weather. It's nothing new in the City of Santa Barbara, which revised the City Landscape Design Standards in 2008, requiring smart irrigation controllers for landscapes that undergo the city's design review process.

Homeowners who want to replace their old irrigation controller, or timer, can get help with the cost of upgrading to a smart irrigation controller. The Smart Landscape Rebate Program offers rebates on 50 percent of the cost of water-wise plants, irrigation equipment, smart irrigation controllers and mulch. City of Santa Barbara water customers are eligible for up to $1,000 for single-family homes and up to $4,000 for businesses and HOAs. Landscape contractors can use this to entice homeowners to remake their landscaping.

To schedule a free evaluation of your client’s irrigation system and take part in the rebate, call 805 564-5460. More information is available at www.savewatersb.org.