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.
Overview of the Program
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:
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Completed by a San Rafael licensed business
Check if your contractor or gardener is licensed on our Business Search webpage: https://elicense.cityofsanrafael.org/Search. As a reminder, when performing work in San Rafael, a San Rafael Business License is required.
( See firesafemarin.org/contractors for a list of contractors who’ve completed basic training in wildfire preparedness. )
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Within 100 feet of structures or 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. Work must be prioritized from the “house out.” Funds will not be awarded if a hazard 100 feet away from the home is addressed but a noted vegetation hazard within 5 feet of the home is ignored.
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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.
Type of Eligible Work
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:
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Applicants’ name
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Address of the property
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San Rafael Licensed Business Number and Contractor information
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Date
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Itemized description of the work completed and cost
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Proof of payment (such as a copy of a deposited check, credit card statement, Venmo or PayPal printout, or cash receipt)
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- Completed Application Form
- Signed Grant Agreement
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
If you need further assistance, please reach out to the Wildfire Mitigation Grant Team at SRFD Grants srfd.grants@cityofsanrafael.org or 415-485-3054
How much are you eligible for?
Total cost of eligible work:
*If you participate in utility or public assistance programs, you may be eligible for additional funding assistance.