Grants directory
Defensible Space & Home Hardening Evaluation
City of Santa Barbara Fire Department · City program
Free evaluation/service
The City of Santa Barbara offers a free, voluntary, penalty-free defensible-space and home-hardening evaluation. The visit gives homeowners on-site guidance on landscaping and exterior building features that could improve survivability in a wildfire.
Program details
How it works
The City says this is a free, voluntary, and penalty-free evaluation. Staff meet you on site, walk around the property, review existing landscaping and exterior building features, highlight what is already working well, and offer educational recommendations and suggestions for additional improvements that may increase the survivability of the home.
What the service covers
The City’s 2026 newsletter says the evaluation looks at both defensible space and home hardening. The outreach material includes suggestions such as:
- removing dead fuel and limb-up vegetation
- mowing grass to 4 inches
- keeping wood chips or mulch to a shallow depth
- maintaining ornamental plants
- separating plants horizontally and vertically to reduce fire ladders
- removing leaves and debris from roofs and gutters
- checking under decks and porches
- removing dead branches from trees
How to apply
The official page directs homeowners to sign up for the evaluation through the City’s Wildland Fire Suppression Assessment District materials.
Timing and deadlines
No deadline, reimbursement cap, or application fee is stated. The service is described as free and voluntary.
Full eligibility details
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