What Is Zeroscaping? A Utah Homeowner's Complete Guide
Everything Salt Lake County homeowners need to know — what it costs, how it works, and how to get paid to do it.
Last updated April 2025
The Short Answer
Zeroscaping (also written as xeriscaping) is a landscaping approach that replaces traditional, water-hungry grass lawns with drought-tolerant plants, rock, gravel, and mulch. The goal: a yard that looks great year-round while using dramatically less water — often 50–75% less than a conventional lawn.
In Utah, where water restrictions are tightening every year and outdoor use accounts for roughly 60% of residential water consumption, zeroscaping has gone from a niche idea to one of the most practical home improvements a homeowner can make.
What Does a Zeroscaped Yard Actually Look Like?
The best Utah zeroscaping looks nothing like a dusty gravel lot. Done well, it combines:
- Decorative rock and gravel — crushed granite, river rock, red rock, or decomposed granite in complementary colors
- Drought-tolerant plants — ornamental grasses, native shrubs, sage, lavender, and flowering perennials that thrive in Utah's climate
- Boulders and landscape accents — give depth and structure to the design
- Defined edging — metal or concrete borders that separate gravel zones cleanly
- Drip irrigation — targeted water delivery to plants only, eliminating waste
How Much Does It Cost?
In Salt Lake County, professional zeroscaping typically runs $5–$15 per square foot installed, depending on materials and site complexity. A typical 600 sq ft front yard conversion — grass removal, weed barrier, gravel, plants, and edging — runs $4,000–$7,500 before rebates.
However, the Utah Water Savers rebate changes the math significantly. At $3/sq ft for 600 sq ft, that's $1,800 back — cutting your net cost to $2,200–$5,700. See our full zeroscaping cost breakdown →
The Utah Water Savers Rebate
Utah's grass removal rebate program — managed by the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District — pays qualifying homeowners up to $3 per square foot to remove grass and replace it with qualifying water-wise materials. Most Salt Lake County homeowners are eligible.
The key steps: apply for pre-approval before any removal begins, complete the install with a qualified contractor, pass a post-installation inspection, and collect your rebate check (typically 4–8 weeks post-install).
Lundberg Landscape's work is fully rebate-approved. See the complete rebate guide →
Is Zeroscaping Right for My Yard?
Zeroscaping works on virtually any yard, but it's especially well-suited for:
- Front yards with high visibility and street appeal goals
- Slopes where grass is hard to water evenly and mow safely
- Yards where sprinkler coverage is uneven or the system is aging
- Homeowners who want to reduce weekly maintenance
- Anyone looking to qualify for the Utah Water Savers rebate
It works less well in areas where children play heavily on grass — though even then, a partial conversion (front yard zeroscaping, maintained back yard) is a popular and practical approach.
How Long Does It Take?
Most residential zeroscaping installs take 1–3 days. A single-crew front yard project is often complete in one day. Larger yards, back yards, or projects involving extensive grading or drip system installation may take 2–3 days.