Fire Safe Marin receives many inquiries from residents about grant funding or other financial assistance for vegetation removal or home hardening projects. Fire Safe Marin does not manage any grant programs for residents. Some Marin County Fire Agencies do have limited financial assistance available. Several other Marin agencies are considering introducing new grant programs. The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority also plans to introduce in November 2021 a grant program targeting seniors and members of the Access and Functional Needs community who meet income requirements. It is possible that the State of California will introduce additional grant programs in the future, but direct assistance to residents is not currently available.
Current Financial Assistance Programs
Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority
MWPA offers two grant programs totaling $250,000 for Marin County residents within the MWPA jurisdiction for the 2022-23 fiscal year ending on June 30, 2023. To apply for both grants, residents must have received a completed Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation from their local MWPA-member fire agency. Items listed on the Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation Report can be submitted to receive funds through the MWPA Grant Programs and are awarded as reimbursement towards work that has already been completed (with required documentation). If you do not have an eligible evaluation report, MWPA will help you request one from your local fire agency.
MWPA DEFENSIBLE SPACE GRANT PROGRAM
During FY 2022-23, $125,000 in grant funds are available for land parcels in the MWPA jurisdiction, to help offset the cost of creating defensible space, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once all required documents are submitted for review, residents may receive up to $1000 per parcel per fiscal year. There is no match requirement. This means that MWPA will fund 100% of your eligible expenses.
MWPA HOME HARDENING GRANT PROGRAM
During the FY 2022-23, $125,000 in grants funds are available for parcels within the MWPA jurisdiction on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once all required documents are submitted for review, applicants may receive up to $5000 per fiscal year per land parcel.
Some home hardening work is so important that MWPA will fund 100% of your expenses to complete it, as long as the need is identified during your Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation. These items are:
-Installation or replacement of vents with < ⅛” screen. More information is available here
-Installation of gutter guards
-Installation or replacement of garage door seal
-Installation or replacement of garage door battery back-up
All other home hardening work identified during your Evaluation will require a 50% match. This means that MWPA will only reimburse you for 50% of your expenses on other home hardening items not listed above.
Additional Eligibility Information
Anyone can apply without restriction, but the property needs to have received a free Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation. Only the completion of eligible work identified during the Evaluation can be awarded. You can request an evaluation, or access your report, by entering your address at the bottom of this page.
Grant funds are awarded as reimbursement towards already completed work only (please see required documentation below). We accept applications for work completed and paid for on or after July 1st, 2020, as long as all required documentation can be provided. Your property needs a free Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation even if work has already been completed.
Grant income is taxable in California. Applicants who receive a total (combined) award(s) of over $600 per calendar year will be issued a 1099 tax form.
Grants applications are processed using an integration between Fire Aside and Survey Monkey Apply.
Processing time:
If you do not have a Defensible Space & Home Hardening Evaluation, the turnaround time is 2-4 weeks to receive your report, which is necessary to proceed with your grant application(s).
If you have a Defensible Space & Home Hardening Evaluation, review time is approximately 2-3 weeks from the time you submit a complete application. If your application is awarded, please allow for an additional 2-3 weeks to receive payment.
When entering an address at: https://www.marinwildfire.org/resident-info/resident-grants
the process will automatically allow prospective applicants to request a DSI inspection if there is none on file. Once they have been inspected and have received their inspection code, they can continue the application process and at that time, include receipts for work previously completed (which therefore will not be identified on the most recent inspection).
People are asked to contact the MWPA at grants@marinwildfire.org for further information. The MWPA also has a dedicated phone line for questions 415 275-1780.
Novato Fire Protection District
All Novato Residents can participate in the grant program after a full home assessment.
The grant provides a $0.50 match for every $1.00 of expenditure by the Pre-Approved Applicant. This is a first come, first serve grant until budget limits are reached. The maximum amount of reimbursement will not exceed the set amount for each grant.
| Grant Type | Maximum Reimbursement Amount |
| VMMGP | $1,000.00 |
| HHMGP | $5,000.00 |
| HOA VMMGP | $1,500.00 |
San Rafael Fire Department
PURPOSE: 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.
ELIGIBILITY: All San Rafael residents who have had a full defensible space inspection. “Homeowners can schedule a FREE inspection by contacting srfd.grants@cityofsanrafael.org or 415-485-3054 . 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.
AMOUNT: 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 assistance greater than $1,000 dollars a resident will be asked to supply additional documentation, including proof of at least three bids or limited financial resources. Please reach out to srfd.grants@cityofsanrafael.org before performing work to see if you are eligible for increased assistance.
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. Grants are limited and awarded on a first come first serve basis.
Town of Fairfax
The Town of Fairfax is offering grants for Vegetation Management to Fairfax Residents.
Apply for a grant up to $1000 for low income and seniors and $500 for any Fairfax resident. You just apply first, submit photos and receipts.
Grants awarded on a first toe, first serve basis until the funds allotted have been reached. Grant includes brush clearing and tree trimming. It does not include home gardening.