Xeriscape Incentive Program

Xeriscape Incentive Program for Residential Customers

Residential customers (homes and rental properties) can receive $0.75/square foot up to 1,000 square feet, or up to $750, per approved project, per address. Rebates are first come, first served while funds are available

*Native bonus rebate: Additional $0.25/square foot rebate up to 1,000 square feet, or up to $1,000 total, for planting a minimum of 80% plants native to Colorado. Requires 50% plant coverage at maturity in the renovation area.

Download the XIP Participant Packet(DOCX, 1MB) with all information needed to apply and participate including templates and resources.

Step 1: Complete the application online

You will need the following for a complete application (see XIP Participant Packet for more information and examples of needed items):

• Fort Collins Utilities account number – only Fort Collins Utilities Water customers may apply. Confirm your water district here. Landlords & mobile home park residents, without an account number, can apply- please email us for an alternate application.
• Review Residential Terms and Conditions(DOCX, 1MB)
• Landscape Plan 
• Irrigation Plan (only for customers who have an irrigation system or plan to install one) 
• Watering Plan
• Plant List
• Two color “before photos.” 
  • Must show green grass (or new construction) in last 12 months
  • Include a wide view of the property and (grass) area(s) proposed for renovation

*If you are applying with a rental property or live in a mobile home community, please contact xeriscape@fortcollins.gov for an alternative application.

Step 2: Schedule a virtual customer meeting

Before you submit your application, you will be asked to schedule your virtual customer meeting. We require customer meetings before you start your turf removal project. These meetings are a time for staff to review design packages, go over program requirements and answer questions about your project.

Step 3: Install new landscape

Following application approval, you will have one year to complete your project. 

Step 4: Project inspection and submission of final paperwork

Once your approved project is complete, schedule inspection here.

Final paperwork must be submitted prior to or at inspection, and include:

• Final Rebate Application Form: Digital form filled out at inspection that requires total project cost and signature.
• Soil amendment certificate(PDF, 115KB): This notarized form certifies that you amended your soil and is only required if you physically remove more than 1000 square feet of grass and replace it with new plant material. Forms can be notarized at a bank or courthouse.
• • City code requires residents to amend their soil when more than 1,000 square feet of grass is physically removed and replaced with new plant material by adding 3 cubic yards/1,000 square feet in planted areas. Plant-based compost is recommended. Soil amendment is any material added to the soil to improve its physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration and structure. The goal is to provide a better environment for roots. 
• W9 Form (provided at inspection): Water rebates over $600 are considered taxable income. Participants who receive more than $600 of water rebates throughout the year will be sent a 1099 form for the tax year the rebate was received. Paper W9 forms will be provided and completed at inspection to receive a rebate.
• Receipts: original or copies of project receipts must prove the project cost is equal to or greater than the rebate. If you provide an invoice from a contractor, proof of payment must be provided as well. XIP rebate cannot exceed project cost, minus taxes, and receipts must clearly show the date of purchase and total cost of items.

Step 5: Receive your rebate as a check after inspection

Please note that XIP rebates are funded by a grant from the state and may take a few months to process due to increased documentation needs and approvals.

Complete the Residential XIP Application

Xeriscape Incentive Program for Commercial Customers 

New for 2025 - All approved projects will receive a bonus incentive of $0.30 per square foot, up to $3,000, that is paid upfront. Please note that the bonus can be used as match funding for the rebate, but the total of the bonus and rebate payments cannot add up to more than the total project cost before tax.

Commercial water customers can receive $1.50 per square foot of area converted, up to $15,000 per project, for replacing grass with an eligible low-water landscape. Utilities must approve projects prior to installation and entities must be a Utilities water customer.

Eligible participants include:  

• HOAs
• Multi-unit residential complexes
• Businesses
• Faith-based organizations
• Schools
• Parks
• Government entities

Download the Commercial XIP Participant Packet(DOCX, 273KB) with all information needed to apply and participate including templates and resources. 

Step 1: Schedule a site visit to discuss project proposal and confirm eligibility.

Step 2: Receive Minor Amendment Approval

Projects must go through Minor Amendment and be approved before applying to the Xeriscape Incentive Program.  

• If your property falls within City limits, any change that results in a modification to the site plan on file with the City will require a Minor Amendment prior to any work being completed.
  • Please contact xeriscape@fortcollins.gov if you need help finding a site plan.  Download the Minor Amendment application(PDF, 1MB). Specific questions about the Minor Amendment may be sent to zoning@fortcollins.gov.
• If you are only making changes to the parkway landscape, your project will require a Parkway Amendment Application. View the free Parkway Amendment Application(PDF, 5MB). 

Step 3: Apply for the Xeriscape Incentive Program via the Commercial Application

After Minor Amendment approval, complete a commercial program application. To complete the application, you will need:  

• Fort Collins Utilities account number– only Fort Collins Utilities water customers may apply 
• Minor Amendment approval letter  
• Landscape plan, plant list and irrigation plan (These can be the same documents you used for the Minor Amendment application.) 
• Establishment plan
• Long-term management plans (if switching to native/other low-water turf)
• Two before photos 
  • Must show green grass (or new construction) in the last 12 months
  • Include a wide view of the property and (grass) area(s) proposed for renovation 

Step 4: Sign a customer agreement with the City

Step 5: Install the new landscape 

Following approval, you will have two years to complete your project. 

Step 6: Schedule an inspection and submit all final paperwork 

Once the approved project is complete, schedule an inspection here. All expense documentation, including dated invoices, receipts and proof of payment must be submitted in ZoomGrants to receive payment. 

Step 7: Receive your rebate through direct deposit or check. Expect payment 8 weeks after submitting expense documentation.