Commercial–Multifamily Smart Controller Rebate

Reduce outdoor water use, keep landscape more attractive and healthy, and save money on the water bill by upgrading to a Smart Controller (also known as a weather based irrigation controller, or WBIC). City of San Diego Public Utilities Department commercial and multifamily (greater than four units) customers can receive a rebate for upgrading existing irrigation controller to a Smart Controller. Funding for a limited number of rebates is available through a State of California grant and the City's Storm Water Department, and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Read through the GUIDELINES (PDF) prior to filling out an APPLICATION (PDF).

City of San Diego customers cannot also participate in the City's Outdoor Water Conservation Rebate Program for Smart Controllers if they have already received a rebate for the WBIC/Smart Controller through Southern California MWD Save A Buck regional rebate program. Original receipts are required as part of the application process for the City's Smart Controller rebate program.

Rebate Process:

Read through the program guidelines (PDF) and download an application (PDF).
Schedule a free commercial landscape pre-site inspection.
City Water Conservation Program representative will conduct inspection.
Purchase and install Smart Controller and send in application with original receipts.
Have a post-installation site visit.
Receive a rebate check.

Program Requirements:

Smart Controller must be on the pre-approved SWAT list of tested devices.
Site must have at least 2,000 SF of existing irrigated landscape area and an existing in-ground irrigation system.
Smart Controller must replace an existing irrigation timer.

How much water do Smart Controllers save?

A well-maintained Smart Controller used to irrigate the average commercial landscape site can reduce overwatering by an estimated 400 gallons per day.

Costs that are covered by the Smart Controller rebate:

Rebate is $25 per irrigation station (valve), up to 68 valves. Maximum rebate is $1,700 per site. Rebate does not apply to signal fee and do-it-yourself labor costs are not eligible for rebate. Total rebate amount will not exceed the cost of the device and installation. To verify that costs of Smart Controller and installation do not exceed rebate amount, original Smart Controller sales receipt from the vendor and any original installation service invoices from landscape professional must be submitted with the application.

Important: Read the GUIDELINES and APPLICATION PDFs for detailed information about the Smart Controller rebate application process.

** This program is made possible by a grant from the California Department of Water Resources.