Your Lawn To Garden (LTG) project has not yet been approved for funding, as funding eligibility is contingent upon formal approval of your landscape design by the Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD). Please note that removing and/or killing existing grass or beginning any construction within the project area prior to the required pre-inspection, design approval, or construction authorization from LBUD will result in disqualification from the LTG program.
In this section, you will find what is required for your LTG project to be approved. The project area design that is approved by LBUD is the design that must be installed. LBUD will not be required to make the LTG payment if the installed landscape is not the same as the approved design.
A professionally drawn design is NOT required: a simple hand-drawn design is fine. LBUD assumes most of the designs submitted will be simple drawings created by non-professional landscape installers/designers. However, the drawing must show enough detail to illustrate the overall project design. At minimum the design drawings must include the name and location of each plant used within the project area. If looking for an LBUD certified landscape designer for your project, please check out our Design Reimbursement page for a list of landscape designers.
When thinking about the design of your new landscape, don't forget to take advantage of all the landscape resources LBUD has developed for your benefit and use. Check out the Landscaping Tips page, which includes additional information and tips on how to execute your water-wise garden transformation.
If you have any questions about the requirements, please contact us at lawntogarden@lbwater.org or call us at (562) 570-2455
All Lawn to Garden (LTG) projects must be watered using an efficient irrigation method. Existing traditional sprinkler systems will be required to be upgraded with high-efficiency sprinkler heads, a drip irrigation system or must be capped for hand watering. For those choosing to upgrade their irrigation system, there will be special exceptions for the use of other efficient irrigation methods such as bubblers and micro-spray for certain shrubs, trees, and uniform groundcovers. All exceptions will be made at the discretion of the Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD).
Every landscape is unique and requires careful planning when selecting the right components and layout. We strongly recommend that you consult with a licensed landscape professional, certified irrigation designer, or irrigation specialist to ensure your system is properly designed and installed. Professional expertise can help you avoid common mistakes, optimize efficiency, and ensure compliance with LTG program requirements.
All irrigation systems must include any of the following:
- High-efficiency sprinkler heads
- Drip irrigation
- Micro-sprays for irrigating large flowerbeds
- Bubblers for shrubs and trees
To learn more details about the different irrigation methods, visit the Landscape Planning page.
These are the needed components for each irrigation system:
Drip Irrigation Components
- Low-Flow Anti-Siphon Valve (Separate valves for each part of the landscape (known as 'hydrozones') with unique water needs.)
- Screen Filter
- Pressure Regulator (Its location must be identified on the submitted LTG design.)
- Spray Head Sprinkler Caps
- Drip Emitters
- Drip Lines
Hand Watering Components
- Spray Head Sprinkler Caps
Micro-Spray Components
- Low-Flow Anti-Siphon Valve
- Pressure Regulator
- Screen Filter
- Sprayer
Bubbler Components
- Low-Flow Anti-Siphon Valve
- Emitter
- Screen Filter
High Efficiency Sprinkler Heads Components
Inefficient irrigation systems include traditional fan-spray type sprinklers. LBUD may verify the efficiency of the irrigation system during its final inspection, prior to its payment of the LTG incentive.
Rebates for sprinkler nozzles and irrigation controllers are available at socalwatersmart.com.
The State of California, Executive Order B-29, issued by Governor Jerry Brown, directs the State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) to update the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) to increase water efficiency standards for new and retrofitted landscapes through more efficient irrigation systems, greywater usage, on-site storm water capture, and by limiting the portion of landscapes that can be covered in turf. This Executive Order applies to landscape projects over 500 square feet and re-landscaping projects consisting of more than 2,500 square feet, including residential, non-residential, and public projects.
Any landscaping projects that are to exceed 2,500 square feet throughout the entire property must obtain a permit issued by the Development Services Department. Projects smaller than 2,500 square feet do not require a supplemental permit. For more information on the City's re-landscaping regulations, call (562) 570-6194 or visit longbeach.gov/lbds.
A landscape design drawing can be done by a non-professional and by hand. The drawing should show enough detail to illustrate the overall project design.
The Design Reimbursement Program (DRP) will provide an incentive for customers who submit a design from a Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD) certified landscape professional. For a list of LBUD approved landscape professionals, please see the Design Reimbursement page.
To participate in the DRP, you must hire a landscape professional from our certified list to create the design and a copy of the receipt for the design must be submitted to LBUD.
Your drawing must comply with the following:
1. The top-right corner of each page must include the street address of the project to match your drawing/address to your application.
2. Show exactly where the new landscape will be in relation to large, existing fixtures such as the street, sidewalk, driveway, and home.
3. Provide the project area measurements in square feet (sq. ft.). The final incentive payment will be based on the size of the project area sq. ft. as determined by LBUD.
4. Label the new plants in the project area. Identify the plant name using the website listed below. If the full name of the plant will not fit on the drawing, use a code for the plant on the drawing, adding the associated plant name on a separate piece of paper.
The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) website provides details on more than 1,500 different kinds of beautiful plants as well as virtual tours of beautiful landscapes and gardens. All plants on CalScape are acceptable plants, except for turf-looking grasses (such as Buffalo grass or Zoysia). If you choose to install plants that are NOT on the CalScape site, the plants you choose must be pre-approved by LBUD. Visit CalScape.org to learn more.
5. We require only California native plants and California climate resilient plants to be selected in the proposed landscape design. Please state which option you will commit to in your design
- Option 1: All the plants shown are showcased on CalScape.org.
- Option 2: NOT all the plants are showcased on CalScape.org.
If this option is chosen, applicants must submit the documentation for the plant using the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species website: ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS, showing that the plants are rated as "low" or "very low" when grown in the South Coastal region, indicated as Zone 3 (Column J).
6. Label the new trees in the project area, listing both the botanical and common name. If the full name of the tree will not fit on the drawing, use a code for the plant on the drawing, adding the associated tree name on a separate piece of paper. Only newly installed trees from Metropolitan Water District's (MWD) pre-approved tree list that have been installed within the project square footage boundaries qualify for the tree rebate.
- Newly installed trees must meet a minimum size of 15 gallons. Existing trees are not eligible for a tree rebate.
- The selected tree is defined as a woody perennial plant with many secondary branches supported at some height above by a commonly one stem or trunk. Multi-trunk trees, such as a Palo Verde and Toyon, also qualify. The tree must be expected to grow at least 15 feet tall and have a 10-foot-wide canopy at maturity. The minimum mature size qualification is waived for edible fruit trees.
- The Lawn to Garden Program (LTG ) does not include woody plants such as shrubs, arborescent shrubs not pruned as trees, or plants used to create hedges or other closely planted buffers or thick borders on private property. Specimens bred or pruned to maintain an artificially reduced canopy such as topiary, espaliered, pollarded specimens, and small weeping varieties, are also not eligible for the tree rebate.
- Trees listed on the MWD's tree exclusion list found at bewaterwise.com are not eligible for a rebate. The exclusion list is subject to change at any time.
- Approved edible fruit trees are eligible for a rebate in residential projects.
- Receipts for eligible trees are required. The receipt must include the size and species of each tree.
7. Show that plant material will cover at least 65% of the newly landscaped area with at least 10% being California native or flowering plants. The California native plants must be indicated on your design with either a highlight, an asterisk, or by bolding the font of California native plants. The new landscape must be designed such that it can reasonably be assumed that at least 65% of the site will be covered with plant material by the time the plants mature, or within two years, whichever is sooner. This "reasonable" assumption will be made at the sole discretion of LBUD. A new landscape that is almost entirely graveled or mulched, containing few living plants, is not acceptable.
To calculate the estimated required plant coverages for your project, use the following formula:
(Estimated sq. ft. of project area) x (0.65) = Total plant coverage required
(Total plant coverage required) x (0.10) = California native or flowering plant overage required
Example: A project area that is 1,000 sq. ft. would use the first formula to calculate the total coverage required at 650 sq. ft. After determining the total plant coverage required, the second formula is used to determine the 65 sq. ft. of California native or flowering plant coverage required in the project area.
8. Group plants by hydrozones. To learn more about hydrozoning, please visit the Landscape Planning page. Each hydrozone must be clearly labeled in your design. Along with the schematic of the design, applicants must submit an attachment page with a plant list that is grouped by hydrozone.
9. Include at least one or a combination of the following stormwater retention features:
- A rain garden/bio-swale
- A dry creek bed
- A berm
- Downspout diversion into a catch basin
- Compost Amendment and Mulch (The cubic feet of mulch and compost to be used must be indicated within the landscape design and receipt of payment for compost and mulch must be submitted prior to rebate payment processing).
If you are applying for a project with transformation areas in both front and back yards, only the front yard is required to have a stormwater retention feature. If you are applying for a front yard only or back yard only project, a stormwater retention feature is required in the designated project area. To learn more on the various stormwater retention features, please visit the Landscape Planning page. If interested in learning how to install your own stormwater retention feature, visit the Landscape Installation Tips.
10. The project area must be 100% covered with natural materials such as plants, compost, mulch, and permeable hardscape (material water can penetrate through). The use of any synthetic materials is not allowed in LTG . Examples of permeable hardscape include pavers and brick set on bed of sand, where no mortar or grout has been used and at minimum 2-inch gap between each paver is required to ensure a permeable landscape. If the project area is not covered by permeable hardscape or plant material, it must be completely covered by at least a 3-inch layer of mulch. Acceptable mulch includes rock, compost, bark, and other organic material. Raised garden beds and vegetable gardens may be installed, but their coverage sq. ft. will be excluded from the final incentive calculation. There can be zero sq. ft. of bare soil or installation of non-permeable hardscape such as concrete.
11. Parkway project areas must meet all the requirements of the City of Long Beach Municipal Code. Please read the applicable section of the code here: Municipal Code (Chapter 21.42.050).
12. Any turf grass, artificial or synthetic turf, or turf-looking grass (such as Buffalo grass or Zoysia) is not acceptable and not allowed in the newly landscaped site. In addition, all other invasive plant species (such as Mexican feather grass (Nassella tenuissima)) are prohibited from the LTG program. For a list of invasive species and their alternatives, visit cal-pic.org/plants or plantright.org.
After completing the design in accordance with the design requirements, send the drawing and any additional information needed using one of the options below:
- Email to lawntogarden@lbwater.org
Emailed documents cannot be photographs of the original documents. (.JPG and .PNG files are not accepted).
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Send U.S. Mail or personal delivery to:
Attn: Utility Resources-LTG
Long Beach Utilities Department
1800 East Wardlow Road
Long Beach, CA 90807
Once Long Beach Utilities approves the proposed design, you will be given email verification to begin your project transformation.