Apply

You must receive an invitation to participate in this program. If you have not received an invitation and would like to inquire about your eligibility, click here. 

You will submit your Turf SWAP application along with the paperwork listed below after your landscaping work is complete. Please read the program guidelines below carefully to ensure your eligibility for rebate funds. Rebates will only be awarded for eligible work, while funds last. Checks may take 4-6 weeks.​

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• Turf SWAP application
• Turf SWAP invoice from SWAP Shop​
• W-9 form (To issue a check the County needs a completed W9. Rebates are taxable income).

• Read this website carefully.
• You must receive an invitation to participate in this program.
• If you have not received an invitation and would like to inquire about your eligibility, click here.
• If you received an invitation, please contact ACEPD staff at 352-264-6827 to schedule an irrigation tune up visit. The tune-up visit is free and encouraged regardless of whether you opt to participate in the Turf SWAP program or not.
• ACEPD staff will conduct an irrigation tune up to identify retrofit work that will result in improved efficiency and water savings on the property. A map with details of retrofit work and Florida Friendly Landscaping^TM suggestions will be provided to the homeowner.
• Contact a Florida Water Star Accredited Professional SWAP Shop and provide your map for an estimate to make required changes and for landscape design.
• Get permission from your HOA (if applicable).
• SWAP Shop of your choice will complete required irrigation efficiency improvements and install Florida Friendly Landscaping, if applicable. (Limit of a single rebate, up to $2,000, per property.)
• Submit completed application form, completed W9 form, and itemized invoice from your SWAP Shop to ACEPD via email: hgreer@AlachuaCounty.us or mail:  408 W. University Ave, Suite 106, Gainesville, FL 32601.
• ACEPD will conduct a site visit to verify work has been completed and discuss landscape care.
• Checks will be issued in 4-6 weeks.
  
  

• Required irrigation retrofit work (fixing leaks, capping heads on established trees and shrubs, separating turf zones from shrubs/trees/annuals, and converting shrubs/trees/annual to micro irrigation if needed).
• Removing high volume irrigation (>0.5 gallon per minute). Micro irrigation may be added to these areas
• Capping off high volume irrigation heads if the heads cannot be removed.
• Reconfiguring irrigation zones so micro irrigation is on a separate zone.
• Removing turf grass (if high volume irrigation is also removed).
• Designing, purchasing, and installing Florida Friendly Plants where high volume irrigation is removed.
• Purchasing and spreading mulch (no Cypress mulch), soils, soil amendments, and/or weed cloth where high volume irrigation is removed. 
• Installation or replacement of water saving devices like rainfall shutoff devices, smart controllers, and soil moisture sensors.
  
  

• ​Replacing landscaping beds or turf that does not have high volume irrigation.
• Adding plants to existing mulched areas/beds or to areas where high volume irrigation is not removed.
• Installing or maintaining backflow prevention.
• Applying fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.
• Artificial turf
• Large landscaping boulders
• Adding irrigation to areas that were non-irrigated prior to Turf SWAP