Irrigation Controller Rebate
The SFPUC is offering rebates on irrigation controllers that use the soil or the weather to tell your irrigation system when water is actually needed. Save water. Save money. Save your plants from overwatering.
Rebate Amount:
The rebate amount you may be eligible for depends on the size of your irrigated landscape:
- For small landscapes, which are under 10,000 square feet, you may receive a rebate for up to two irrigation controllers at $250 for each eligible controller. Most landscapes on single-family and small multi-family properties would be considered small.
- For large landscapes, which are over 10,000 square feet, the rebate amount will be calculated based on the number of active irrigation zones you have. An irrigation zone is an area set to water plants with similar water needs. The rebate is $35 per active irrigation zone. Most public parks and ball fields, common areas of large residential complexes, business parks, and public institution landscapes would be considered large.
Eligibility Requirements:
- The property where the irrigation controller will be installed has an SFPUC water service account and classifies as a residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional (CII) entity.
- If you are not the property owner or the water account holder, you will need to provide their written approval:
- You must have an outdoor landscape area that is watered by an existing, operating irrigation system.
- The irrigation controller you purchase must have the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense label. To see all eligible irrigation controllers, visit the EPA WaterSense Product Search.
- Applicant must install the eligible device correctly and confirm it is functioning and programmed appropriately as well as meet all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances.
- Applicant must also complete a mandatory SFPUC landscape assessment and address any repairs and leaks associated with their irrigation system before receiving a rebate.
- The following are not eligible for an irrigation controller rebate:
- replacement of an existing eligible device,
- new irrigation systems,
- irrigation systems that are pre-determined to be poorly maintained during the mandatory landscape assessment, have leaks, and/or require extensive repair,
- landscape retrofit projects awarded grant funding through the Large Landscape Grant Program.
How to Participate:
Step 1
Review the Program Terms & Conditions and Release of Liability
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Terms and Conditions
- The SFPUC offers a rebate for EPA WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers and add-on devices.
- The rebate amount shall not exceed 100% of the eligible device cost (not including sales tax, shipping, and/or installation costs). The rebate amount will be determined based on the size of the irrigated landscape, including how many active irrigation zones it has.
- The applicant is solely responsible for purchasing, installing, operating, and maintaining any eligible device for which the applicant is seeking a rebate under this Program.
- Submission of an application constitutes an applicant’s acknowledgment and agreement that the applicant shall comply with these Rules and Regulations as may be amended.
- The SFPUC endeavors to issue a rebate check within 8 weeks of final approval of an eligible rebate.
- Submission of an application constitutes an applicant’s acknowledgment and agreement that the applicant shall comply with these Terms and Conditions.
Rebate Agreement – Release of Liability
The SFPUC may deny any application that does not meet the requirements. The applicant agrees to allow the SFPUC to inspect installations as a potential condition to obtaining a rebate under this program. Funding for this program is limited to available resources. Rebates are processed on a first come, first serve basis. SFPUC shall bear no responsibility or liability for the cost, expense, operation, maintenance, or repair of a participant’s irrigation controller. SFPUC shall likewise bear no responsibility or liability for delay in accepting an application, rejection of an application, or termination of the program.
Step 2
- If you haven’t applied for any previous SFPUC conservation assistance, you’ll be prompted first to register for our application portal.
- Apply Now and complete the application, including information on the make and model of the current irrigation controller to be replaced and the operating condition of the irrigation system.
- Partial applications cannot be saved in our system.
Step 3
Complete a mandatory landscape assessment to address irrigation system components needing repair, replacement, or adjustments by SFPUC water conservation staff prior to purchase and installation of an eligible device. During the landscape assessment, SFPUC staff will verify the site’s existing irrigation system is functioning properly and identify necessary repairs needed to be eligible for an irrigation controller rebate. Upon successful completion of the landscape assessment, SFPUC staff will contact the site and confirm rebate program eligibility.
- A rebate reservation is made on a case-by-case basis and subject to availability of funds and does not guarantee that a rebate will be issued.
Step 4
Purchase and install the eligible device(s) within 4 weeks of the date of rebate reservation.
Step 5
Submit Documentation
- Receipts and invoices
- Photos of installed irrigation controller
- Required documentation is submitted to your Online Application Portal account.
- Completed and signed IRS Form W-9 to the San Francisco Controller’s Office. You can email them to supplier.management@sfgov.org or you can mail a hard copy to: Supplier Management, 1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, Room 300, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Rebates cannot be issued without a W-9 form on file with the Controller’s Office. This is because some people receive $600 or more in rebates from the City of San Francisco in a year. These people will receive an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099 and may have to pay federal taxes. The Social Security number you provide in the application will remain confidential. The SFPUC operates under the terms of the Privacy Act. Social Security numbers will not be shared with people or organizations outside the Controller's Office. The SFPUC's request for Social Security or Tax ID numbers follows federal law. This law is the Federal Privacy Act of 1974, 42 UCS 405 (c) (2)(c).
Contact Us
For more information on this program, please email waterconservation@sfwater.org or call 415-551-4730.