Home Hardening Assistance Program

How it works

The Home Hardening Assistance Program (HHAP) helps Montecito homeowners reduce wildfire risk by reimbursing eligible home-hardening projects and other qualified retrofits designed to improve wildfire resilience. It is a reimbursement program: homeowners are responsible for completing and paying for eligible projects before requesting reimbursement. The program is funded through an annual allocation from the Montecito Fire Department and is administered as a competitive, risk-based reimbursement program. Because funding is limited, submitting an application does not guarantee approval or reimbursement.

What the money covers

Eligible retrofit actions listed on the page include:

• Zone 0 compliance work that creates a non-combustible zone within 5 feet of the home.
• Replacing combustible mulch near the home with non-combustible materials such as gravel, pavers, or concrete.
• Using ember-resistant areas with gravel mulch, stones, boulders, hardscaping, cement/stone retaining walls, patios, walkways, and paths.
• Replacing combustible pergolas and decks with non-combustible materials.
• Removing vegetation within 5 feet of the structure, including overhanging branches, grass, turf, wood or rubber mulch, and combustibles stored near the home.
• Replacing single-pane windows with dual-pane windows with at least one pane of tempered glass.
• Replacing wood fencing with non-combustible materials, especially the first 5 feet closest to the home.
• Retrofitting or upgrading vents to ember-resistant models from the California State Fire Marshal-approved flame and ember-resistant vents list.
• Replacing combustible roof coverings such as wood or cedar shingles with Class A-rated materials like asphalt shingles, tile/cement shingles, or metal panels.
• Bird stopping for roof gaps at ridges and edges.
• Gutter guards to reduce debris buildup and maintenance needs.

Amounts and matching

• Maximum assistance: up to $10,000 per property.
• One-time assistance only: once a property receives HHAP funding, it is no longer eligible for future disbursements through the program.
• Reimbursements are only eligible for work completed on or after 2025-01-01.
• The page does not state any matching requirement.

How to apply

1. Request a defensible space inspection from a Montecito Wildland Fire Specialist.
2. Review the individualized home assessment report generated after the inspection.
3. Hire a contractor of your choice and complete the selected retrofits.
4. Submit the application with before-and-after photos and a legible invoice that includes the date and description of work completion, property address, contractor name, contact information, license number, and proof of payment.
5. If approved, complete reimbursement forms at Montecito Fire Station 91 at 595 San Ysidro Road or submit them by mail.
6. Choose direct deposit or a mailed check for payment.

Timing and deadlines

• The page does not state a public application deadline or fixed open/close window.
• Annual funding is limited and demand often exceeds available funding.
• Applications are prioritized based on wildfire risk and other factors, so meeting minimum eligibility does not guarantee reimbursement.
• Only work completed on or after 2025-01-01 is eligible for reimbursement.