MWPA provides funding and staff for Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation programs across the 17 member agency jurisdictions. These programs operate on a continuous basis and are approved annually in the MWPA Work Plans.
Per the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) agreements, the 17 MWPA agencies have the option to opt into a MWPA shared seasonal defensible space inspector program, or opt out into a locally controlled evaluation program, or establish a hybrid model. Agencies opting to maintain local control will receive their proportionate amount of the 20% total JPA budgeted to defensible space and home hardening.
With the approval of the work plan, agencies will be able to immediately begin implementing or expanding their existing Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation programs.
For the 2022-23 year, the Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation programs will be established as follows:
1) Novato Fire Protection District
2) City of San Rafael and Marinwood Community Services District
3) Bolinas Fire District, City of Larkspur, County of Marin Fire, Muir Beach Community Services District, Inverness Fire District, Kentfield Fire District, Sleepy Hollow Fire District, Stinson Beach Fire District, Town of Corte Madera, Town of Fairfax, Town of Ross, and Town of San Anselmo
4) City of Mill Valley and Southern Marin Fire District
Inspectors from the MWPA and local fire department will inspect residential properties to evaluate whether they meet wildland-urban interface (WUI) defensible space, vegetation management, and construction standards. Homeowners receive a comprehensive online report that includes recommendations for improving the home’s ability to survive a wildfire. This evaluation may also determine if the property meets state and local requirements for defensible space. Some issues identified may be required by law and must be corrected.
The goal is to inspect and evaluate 1/3 of Marin residential, commercial, and undeveloped properties for potential wildfire hazards within MWPA jurisdictions annually, so all properties would be assessed by a trained professional every 3 years. MWPA’s Defensible Space and Home Hardening Evaluation program is integrated with Chipper Days, Grant Programs, and other resources to help residents remediate issues found during the evaluation.
If you have received an MWPA Defensible Space and Home Hardening report, you can access your report here. For more information on how to harden your home and create defensible space, visit the Fire Safe Marin website.
