Neighborhood Chipping Program

How it works

The Montecito Fire Department sponsors wildfire-prevention clean-up projects in identified neighborhoods. Homeowners do the cutting ahead of time, and the department’s contractor chips the vegetation on-site and removes it. The program is organized by neighborhood, and residents can use the interactive neighborhood chipping map to look up their address and find their scheduled date.

What the service covers

The service covers shrub and tree limb material that residents cut and stack at the edge of a passable road, with the cut ends pointed toward the center of the road. The page also says roadside tree branches extending beyond the minimum clearance requirements in the Montecito Fire Code may be identified by Fire District personnel and removed by a professional tree service during the scheduled neighborhood project.

What it does not cover

Leaves, succulents, agave, pine needles, palm fronds, and other small trimmings cannot be chipped. The page says homeowners are responsible for disposing of those materials or placing them in the provided roll-off containers. The containers are only for vegetation that cannot be chipped and are not for trash.

Amounts and matching

This is a complimentary service; no payment, reimbursement, or matching amount is stated.

How to apply

Residents are directed to the program page and interactive neighborhood chipping map. The page says homeowners can contact Wildland Fire Specialists Maeve Juarez or Nic Elmquist at (805) 969-7762 or prevention@montecitofire.com with questions or to schedule a complimentary property survey.

Timing and deadlines

The 2026 chipping schedule lists neighborhood service weeks beginning February 9, February 23, March 9, March 23, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18, June 1, and June 15. Crews start chipping on the Monday of the scheduled week, and all material must be in place by 8:00 am Monday morning. Roll-off containers arrive the Wednesday before the scheduled chipping start date and remain for 7 days.