Efforts to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable living are expanding across Utah through new landscape incentives in Park City and community engagement programs at the USU Botanically Center. While Park City Water offers rebates for converting lawns to drought-resistant landscapes, the USU Botanical Center is providing membership benefits to support the preservation of natural resources and urban greenery.
Park City Lawn Conversion Rebates
The City of Park City has established a Landscape Incentive Program designed to encourage residents and businesses to improve the sustainability of outdoor spaces. The program provides financial resources to help individuals create or enhance landscapes that benefit both people and the local environment, such as developing wildlife habitats or implementing water-saving techniques.
Financial Incentives and Eligibility
Under the program guidelines, funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as they remain available. The initiative is specifically targeted at converting existing, well-maintained living lawns into more sustainable alternatives. To be eligible, the project area must be greater than 250 square feet and cannot include land that has already been killed or removed prior to a pre-conversion site visit.
Reimbursement Limits and Requirements
The City of Park City offers significant reimbursement amounts based on the type of property owner. Single-family residential customers can receive a maximum reimbursement of up to $15,000, while all other customer types are eligible for up to $75,000. The incentive payment is calculated at a rate of $3.00 per square foot of converted area.
Mandatory Program Compliance
Applicants must be property owners with the legal authority to authorize the removal and replacement of the project area. Furthermore, applicants must be in good standing with Park City Water; any unpaid water bills will disqualify a person from receiving the rebate. The program also requires that the project be voluntary and not mandated by governmental codes. To ensure long-term sustainability, participants must agree not to return the converted area back to a lawn after receiving the incentive.
Fire-Wise and Irrigation Standards
The landscaping requirements focus heavily on fire safety and water efficiency. At least 50% of the converted area must be replaced with plants identified in Park City Municipal Code 14-15(d) as fire-wise. The remaining 50% may consist of non-vegetative cover, such as wood chip mulch or additional fire-wise vegetation, though rock cover is limited to no more than 20% of the new ground cover. Additionally, the program prohibits the addition of artificial turf or water features like fountains.
Irrigation and Mulching Rules
Irrigation standards for the program are strict regarding technology. If irrigation is installed, it must utilize a drip irrigation system paired with a WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controller; spray irrigation is explicitly prohibited. While not required, the program encourages the use of water reuse methods, such as rainwater capture or graywater systems. The City also recommends woodchip mulch to assist with water retention.
Application and Inspection Process
The application process requires significant pre-planning, as residents are instructed not to remove any lawn until the Park City Municipal Planning Department and program staff have approved the project. Applicants must submit a basic site plan, an irrigation plan, and a plant list to planning@parkcity.gov. The process involves multiple stages, including photo documentation of every step—from the grass before removal to the final installed product—and a final in-person inspection by City staff while the irrigation system is still operational.
