"Zeroscape" vs. xeriscape: what each word means.
Many people search for zeroscape. The dictionary word is xeriscape. It comes from the Greek word xeros, meaning dry, and it was coined in Denver in 1981. It means landscaping that needs little or no watering. If you typed "zeroscape," you are in the right place — and the rebate pays either way, as long as the new yard has real plants.
Why does the difference matter?
Over time, "zeroscape" has picked up its own meaning among landscapers: a yard that is only gravel, with no plants at all. That matters, because a gravel-only yard does not qualify for the rebate. The Water Smart Landscapes program requires real desert landscaping: plants covering at least half of the converted area once they are fully grown, watered by a drip system. Desert landscaping does not mean bare. Palo verde, desert willow, red yucca, and sage are alive, colorful, and use very little water.
| "Zeroscape" (gravel only) | Xeriscape (desert landscaping) | |
|---|---|---|
| Water use | None | Very little (drip system) |
| Summer surface heat | Very hot | Shaded and cooler |
| Appearance | Bare | A finished landscape |
| SNWA rebate | Not eligible | Up to $7/sq ft, plus $100 per tree |
What does Southern Nevada pay?
Homeowners earn $5 per square foot on the first 10,000 square feet, and $2.50 after that. In the Las Vegas Valley Water District area the rate is $7 per square foot, because the district adds $2 of its own. Each new tree adds $100. A typical 2,400 square foot lawn earns $12,000 to $16,800.
One warning before you start
Whichever word you use, do not remove any grass before SNWA approves your application. The grass must be alive when the inspector sees it. If it is not, you lose the rebate. The full checklist walks you through the right order.
Rates as of , subject to program terms and approval. Xerisave is not affiliated with SNWA or any water district.