City of Tracy, CA

Smart Irrigation Controller Replacement Program 

Commercial and multi-family

This program is available exclusively for commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties constructed before 2016, as water-efficient landscaping and irrigation systems became mandatory in the City of Tracy after that year. It is designed for City of Tracy Utility customers who are property owners and wish to replace their existing non-smart irrigation controllers with Smart Irrigation Controllers.

Smart Timers use real-time information about your plants, soil type, and weather conditions to deliver the right amount of water throughout the year. These devices automatically adjust watering schedules and volumes in response to changing weather, offering more precise and efficient irrigation.

Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate

To encourage water conservation, the City of Tracy offers rebates to utility customers who replace conventional irrigation controllers with Smart Irrigation Controllers. Studies show that up to 50% of water used for landscaping is wasted due to incorrect settings or lack of adjustments. Smart Controllers help prevent this by automatically modifying watering schedules based on weather changes.

Eligibility
Commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties built before 2016 are eligible for this rebate.

Rebate Amount
Eligible customers can receive $20 per active irrigation station (zone), or the list price of the Smart Controller—whichever is less—up to a maximum rebate of $500.

Limit one rebate per customer per address. Properties requiring more than one controller may qualify but must receive prior authorization.

For example, if your controller manages seven active zones, the rebate calculation is $20 × 7 = $140. If the controller’s list price is $95, your rebate would be $95, as it is the lower amount.

Only one controller rebate per address is allowed without prior approval.

Terms & Conditions

To qualify for a rebate, applicants must comply with all Terms & Conditions of the Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate Program for Commercial and Multi-Family properties. Please review these requirements carefully before submitting your application.

Qualifying Smart Controllers
To be eligible for a rebate, Smart Irrigation Controllers must be labeled with the EPA WaterSense certification. Look for the WaterSense label on the product packaging or the controller itself. You can also visit the EPA WaterSense website and use their product search tool—select "irrigation controllers" from the product category menu to view approved models. If you are considering a controller that is not WaterSense labeled, please contact us for approval before making your purchase.

Ensuring Water Savings and Plant Health
To maximize water savings and maintain plant health, you may need to adjust the default settings on your Smart Irrigation Controller. These standard settings may not be suited to your specific landscape, irrigation system, or plant needs.

While many Smart Controllers are programmed to apply adequate water based on selected settings, your landscape might currently be using less water than the default schedule provides. Before installing a new controller, observe your landscape's condition. If your plants are thriving or the soil is consistently moist, the new controller’s default settings may result in overwatering. In such cases, adjustments should be made to avoid excessive water use.

The City of Tracy may offer assistance in fine-tuning your controller, but it is the customer’s responsibility to monitor for signs of over- or under-watering and make any necessary changes.