The City of San Rafael is offering a grant program to assist San Rafael property owners in reducing wildfire risks on their property. Qualifying work includes vegetation management within 30 feet of a structure and home hardening efforts. 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. This Grant program is funded by the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA). 

Please note that although we will strive to help all residents who need it, we cannot guarantee financial assistance for everyone under this program. Grants are limited and awarded on a first come first serve basis.  

The goal of this grant is to help the homeowners of San Rafael reach compliance with San Rafael Municipal Code Chapter 4.12.

Eligible Recipients 

All San Rafael residents who have had a full defensible space inspection are eligible. Homeowners can schedule a FREE inspection. Please see below on how to schedule an inspection. Only the person directly incurring the expense will be eligible for reimbursement. In general, this will be the property owner, however a tenant that can provide documentation (such as a lease agreement) that the work is their responsibility may be eligible.

Qualifying Expenses 

The following standards are meant to prioritize the most urgent wildfire risk reduction work. They may be adjusted as community needs change. 

For the work to be eligible, it must be: 

• 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 ( See firesafemarin.org/contractors for a list of contractors who’ve completed basic training in wildfire preparedness. )

• Directly incurred by applicant, such as the purchase of home hardening materials or disposal of vegetation 

All work previously completed in 2021 will be eligible if it meets the above requirements and the resident can clearly demonstrate the work was eligible with before and after photos, or a defensible space evaluation report. Eligible work not yet completed will be considered for funding after it is completed and as funds allow. 

Types of Eligible Work

Available Grant Funding 

The City will offer up to $500 per applicant to cover the expenses relating to vegetation management/fuel reduction. The City will also offer up to $500 for home hardening without requiring matching funds.  

To receive more than $500, a resident must match the expense. A resident is limited to $1,000 in assistance for vegetation management/fuel reduction and $1,000 in home hardening/structural adaptations in a single calendar year.  To receive the $1,000 maximum for vegetation management/fuel reduction or home hardening, residents will need to provide documentation of $2,000 or more in eligible expenses. 

Eligibility for assistance in subsequent years will be determined by the funding available. This assistance program is not intended to support routine or ongoing maintenance. At this time funds can only support risk reduction and not replanting or similar activities. Please see qualifying expenses for examples.  

Residents may benefit from different MWPA Grant project allocations, provided the work cost exceeds the total amount of the grants received. 

Schedule a Full Defensible Space Inspection 

A full defensible space inspection is required for your grant application to be processed. If your property was fully inspected and you have not received your report, please email srfd.dspace@cityofsanrafael.org for your report. If you were left a notice and did not receive a full inspection, please schedule a full inspection below.  

A defensible space inspection involves allowing an inspector access to the exterior of your property to conduct and complete a comprehensive 360-degree evaluation of your home and property for wildfire risks including vegetation and structure design. The evaluations will be used to assist homeowners on making their homes and properties defensible from fire.  

How to Apply  

Please fill out the packet below and mail or email the completed forms to the San Rafael Fire Department staff, Wildfire Mitigation Grant Program. You must include the following information. 

• Before and After photos 
• Invoice/Bill outlining work completed or item receipt purchased and associated costs, must be specific to show eligible work. * For example, “Removal of Juniper” is eligible. However, “landscaping” is not.  Invoices must include:
  • Applicants’ name
  • Address of the property
  • Licensed Contractor or vendor information
  • Date and itemized description of the work completed and cost
  • Proof of payment (such as a copy of a deposited check, credit card statement, Venmo or PayPal printout, or cash receipt)
• Proof of payment (receipt, credit card statement, etc.) 
• Completed Application Packet 
• Signed Grant Agreemen

Applications can be mailed or dropped off at:

1375 Fifth Avenue

San Rafael, CA 94901

Attn: Wildfire Mitigation Grant Program

You can also start the application using the link below and email attachments to srfd.grants@cityofsanrafael.org