January 2022 is now officially the driest on record in Northern California. Drought jitters are back. San Rafael property owners can take some solace in a grant program offered through the City of San Rafael Fire Department meant to help residents prepare for fire season. With the hills still green, the City’s move is proactive. The grant program is funded by the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA).
In order to be eligible, you will need to have what the San Rafael Fire Department calls a full defensible space inspection. A video on MWPA’s website walks you through a defensible space inspection, so you’ll know generally what to expect. If you haven’t had one yet, you can schedule a free inspection and learn all the details about the program here.
Other grant programs through MWPA have different requirements, and not everyone is eligible, as some are based on income, age or physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities, to name a few.
As with any grant program with limited funding like the one San Rafael is offering, the sooner you apply, the better, as these grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Are any other localities in Marin covered?
The City of Novato, the Town of Fairfax and the Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District all have some version of MWPA’s grant program.
What does the fire mitigation funding cover?
While the amount of funding differs between localities, the funds can pay for eligible work for things like vegetation management near structures, like the removal of plants like juniper, bamboo or Italian cypress. Other home-hardening efforts include (but are not limited to) replacing vents and swapping out single-pane for double-pane windows or installing gutter guards.
Further covered tasks hinge upon the work being:
- Within 30 feet of structures, within 10 feet of a roadway, or along a driveway to meet the access zone standards outlined in the most recent defensible space evaluation report
- Completed by a licensed contractor
- Directly incurred by applicant, such as the purchase of home-hardening materials or disposal of vegetation
A complete list of eligible work is available on the grant webpage.
According to the Fire Safe Marin website, “The work completed will support the resident’s compliance with the vegetation standards of San Rafael Municipal Code Chapter 4.12 or the California Fire Code 7A home hardening standards, which would include ember-resistant vents, dual-paned windows, etc.”
Will you need an architect or a landscape architect for any of this? You may want both, depending on the changes you have in mind. Getting as much information up front, before you start a project is often the best approach.