2026 Fall Reimbursement Chipping Program
Summer/Fall Applications [CLOSED Until August 3 2026]
Early-bird applications open July 25th for eligible Santa Cruz County FireWise USA recognized communities. Password will be made available through the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County FireWise USA program.
*If you are in the OSJ Road Firewise area, email osjrfirewise@gmail.com for the password.
General applications open August 3rd for all other eligible Santa Cruz County neighborhoods.
Applications close October 31 and all chipping and reimbursement forms MUST be completed and submitted by November 30.
Watch this informational presentation (30 minutes) or read the information below.
What is the program?
Residents who clear defensible space around their homes are eligible for reimbursement of chipping costs up to $250 per property and $80 per 500 linear feet of private road. This reimbursement rate may be most cost-effective for groups of five or more, but anyone who feels this rate would be helpful may apply individually or as a group.
Reimbursements can not exceed the cost of chipping services and do not include the cost of clearing work or participants' time. Any contractors hired to chip must be California licensed contractors. There is a $10K reimbursement maximum per neighborhood.
Who is eligible?
Reimbursements for chipping services are available to Santa Cruz County residents that are within the Wildland Urban Interface and the RCD Chipping Program boundaries (see map below). Residents who reside within the service areas of the Bonny Doon Fire Safe Councilor South Skyline Fire Safe Council are not currently eligible and should sign up for chipping services through their respective Fire Safe Council.
Property owners impacted by the CZU Fire who lost their home may participate in the program if:
- Your new home will be rebuilt before the end of the current fire season OR
- You are currently living on the property in a temporary dwelling (mobile home, RV, etc) as your primary residence and will be there through the current fire season OR
- Vegetation on your property is within 100 feet of a neighbor’s occupied home.
How does the program work?
Reimbursement may only be applied to the chipping of materials that originated within 100 feet of an occupied structure or within 10 feet on either side of a private road. The costs of fueling a rented chipper and of renting a vehicle to tow a rented chipper are also eligible for reimbursement.
To apply as a group, one neighborhood representative will complete the online application to reserve the funds and receive the reimbursment payment for the group. Please include all participants' names and contact information in the application.
To apply as an individual, please fill out the same application.
Once confirmed, you can hire a California licensed contractor or rent a chipper. All work MUST be completed, and reimbursement forms and receipts submitted, no later than November 30. NO LATE REIMBURSMENT FORMS CAN BE ACCEPTED.
Grant funds for this program are dependent on in-kind contributions from landowners in the form of time spent clearing vegetation for defensible space, preparing piles and organizing chipping. Neighborhoods should keep track of their time and submit it with their reimbursement form.
How do we apply and get reimbursed?
Applications are first-come first-serve, and spots are limited. Be sure to coordinate with your neighborhood and schedule a California licensed contractor to come and chip your material before signing up to ensure you do not miss the 30-day window.
STEP 1: A Private Road Association or an individual representing your neighborhood, or an individual applicant will submit one (1) application for the Neighborhood Chipping Reimbursement Program by clicking on the button at the bottom of this page. Once confirmation of your application is made, chipping must be completed by October 31, and a reimbursement packet (see Step 2) submitted by November 30. Note: if demand exceeds funding, applicants may be asked to submit reimbursement packets within 30 days of submission of their reimbursement request. If this happens, further information will be provided.
STEP 2: You have until November 30 to submit the online Reimbursement Packet. The reimbursement check will be sent to the association or the individual who submits the reimbursement packet, and it is up to them to distribute funds accordingly.
The RCD will reimburse your neighborhood up to $250.00 of eligible costs per household participating and up to $80.00 per 500 linear feet of private road vegetation chipped. These amounts represent a reimbursement ceiling. Reimbursement CAN NOT exceed the demonstrable, receipted cost of chipping and/or equipment rental and participants cannot be reimbursed for their time. Reimbursement amounts may also not exceed $10,000. Reimbursements will not be accepted for public roads.
The Reimbursement Packet consists of:
- A completed Reimbursement Request Form (link to form found in group leader's registration email confirmation)
- In-kind hours or dollars spent preparing for chipping (clearning, hiring contractor, etc)
- A receipt from a Licensed Contractor. Reimbursment can not exceed the cost of chipping. Receipt must include dates of service and an itemized list of type of work and associated cost completed with chipping listed as a service. The RCD can only reimburse for chipping. No clearing or other preparation work is covered.
- Additional proof of payment, which can be any of the following:
- An invoice and a cleared check. A cleared check is a copy of your check uploaded to your bank that includes the signature of the person or entity who has received and deposited your check. You may redact information on the check such as your address and routing number, but the check must show the amount paid, who the check was paid to, your signature, and the signature of the party who received the check.
- An invoice and a non-itemized receipt. If you paid the tree company by credit, debit, or cash, this is the option for you.
- An invoice and a bank statement with the charge highlighted. Your bank statement must show the account owner’s name, the transaction date, the posting date, a description of the charge (sometimes called an activity description), and the amount paid. All other information may be redacted. - At least one photo of the chipping work.
If your neighborhood is unable to complete the chipping by October 31 or fails to submit the Reimbursement Packet before November 30 you will NOT be eligible for reimbursement.
Chipping MUST occur between June 15th and October 31st. Chipping completed outside of this window is not eligible for reimbursement. Late applications will NOT be accepted. Reimbursement is designed to incentivize landowners to maintain their defensible space, and therefore might not cover the entire cost to chip each household's vegetative material.
