Get your free wildfire risk assessment today
You could be eligible for up to $10,700 in grants to reduce your home's wildfire risk
About
Permit Sonoma has contracted with Madronus Wildfire Defense to offer free wildfire risk assessments to Sonoma County residents in the Wildfire Adapted Sonoma County (SoCo Adapts) program area.
Follow these simple steps:
- Schedule a quick phone consultation
- Madronus will assess your structure
- Receive your report and treatment plan
- Become eligible for up to $10,700 in rebates!
How it works
Schedule consultation
Choose a time for us to call you. We’ll collect some basic information, answer any questions you have, and schedule your assessment.
Assessment
A Madronus assessor will arrive at your property and meet with you. They will assess your structure’s wildfire risks, take photos and notes, and review their initial findings with you. It takes about 2 hours for most structures.
Report and treatment plan
Within a few days, you will receive an assessment report that includes at least one treatment option for each prioritized risk factor. It will also indicate which treatments may be eligible for rebate incentives.
FAQ
Is it really free?
Yes. Structure Hardening Assessments are available at no cost to the first 1,000 eligible residents who sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis. Residents must be in the SoCo Adapts program areas to be eligible. In 2020 and 2021, Permit Sonoma received grants from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help Sonoma County perform this important work.
Is there any commitment? Do I have to harden my home if I get an assessment?
No. You are under no obligation to complete any structure hardening or defensible space work if you get a structure hardening assessment. The goal of the risk assessment is to educate and qualify those who would like to reduce their wildfire risk for the cost-share incentives.
Do I need to prepare?
We encourage all Sonoma County residents to be Ready for Wildfire. Before your assessment, please make sure the assessor can walk around your structure to examine vents, windows, and other exterior features.
To assess risk of exterior doors, garage doors, garages, and sheds, the Madronus assessor will need access to the area just inside the doors to identify any gaps that could allow embers in during a wildfire.
How long will the assessment take?
Depending on the size of your primary residence, most assessments take 2 hours but can range from 1.5-4 hours.
Can I be fined for code violations during a structure hardening assessment?
No. Madronus assessors cannot conduct code enforcement nor issue citations. Permit Sonoma will not cite a program participant based on information collected during Wildfire Adapted assessments unless a significant life safety risk is identified. Our job is to help educate you about wildfire risks to your property and identify ways to mitigate them.
How is this different from the Defensible Space Assessment that Permit Sonoma did?
Permit Sonoma is separately conducting free Defensible Space Assessments on every property in the SoCo Adapts program area. These assessments focus on the landscaping and vegetation around your structure out to 100 feet. Madronus Structure Hardening Assessments focus on structures themselves and the immediate surrounding area and the factors that make them vulnerable to ignition during a wildfire.
Do I have to be present for the Structure Hardening Assessment?
No. We recommend that you or your representative be present during the assessment, but it is not required. If you are unable to be present, please mention this when scheduling your assessment.
When will SoCo Adapts rebate incentives become available?
Please visit Permit Sonoma SoCo Adapts for more information. Rebate incentives will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please join the SoCo Adapts email list to receive important updates on requirements and deadlines.
What if I’m not in the project area?
Please visit Permit Sonoma SoCo Adapts to view the program area map and confirm whether you are in the program area. If you reside in Sonoma County but are not in the program area, you may request a Defensible Space Inspection by emailing FirePrevention@sonoma-county.org.
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