Wildfire Preparedness • Sonoma County Homeowner Resource
Free Chipper Program for Sonoma County Homeowners
Now accepting 2026 reservations for unincorporated Sonoma County residents
The Sonoma County Fire Prevention Division, through Permit Sonoma, offers a free chipping service to qualifying residents in the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County. The program is designed to help homeowners create defensible space around their homes, structures, and access routes as a direct measure against wildfire risk.
Cost
Free
For qualifying unincorporated Sonoma County residents
Pile Height
3 ft max
Stacked no more than 3 feet tall
Road Clearance
10 ft
Piles must be within 10 feet of your road or driveway
Max Limb Size
4 in
Diameter limit of 4 inches per limb
Pile Requirements at a Glance
Meet all guidelines before submitting your reservation
What the crew will chip
- Freshly cut and stacked limbs from trees or brush
- Limbs no more than 10 feet long
- Limbs at least 1 inch thick and no more than 4 inches in diameter
- Piles stacked with cut ends facing the road or driveway
- Piles within 10 feet of a road or driveway
- Piles no more than 3 feet tall, 10 feet wide, and 50 feet long
What will be denied
- Poison oak, ivy, coyote brush, or other poisonous species
- Scotch or French broom, gorse, oleander, or bamboo
- Vines, spiny plants, or trees with thorns
- Roots, stumps, rocks, dirt, or mud
- Rakings, leaves, pine needles, or grass clippings
- Fire debris, burned wood, firewood rounds, or rotten wood older than one year
- Construction wood such as fence posts or dimensional lumber
- Nails, wire, or any metal pieces
Zone map required: Before submitting your reservation, check the Sonoma County Zones Map to confirm which zone your property is in. You will need this information to complete your reservation request.
Ready to Schedule Your Chipper Visit?
Confirm your piles meet all guidelines, then submit your 2026 reservation through the official Sonoma County program portal.
Schedule Your ReservationProtecting your property from wildfire is one of the most meaningful steps you can take as a homeowner in the North Bay. At Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley, we work with buyers and sellers throughout the Napa and Sonoma regions and are proud to share resources that support the long-term health and value of your investment.
