Upper Kingsbury, Zephyr Cove, Zephyr Heights, Zephyr Knolls and, Marla Bay Neighborhoods...
Get Paid to Protect your Home!
The Nevada Tahoe Conservation District (NTCD), in partnership with Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD), is offering financial assistance to help high risk area homeowners complete required Fire Defensible Space work. Homeowners can be reimbursed for up to 50% of completed defensible space work up to $5000. That means cleaner lots, improved safety, and real financial support to help you get it done.
How it Works
- Visit TahoeFire.org under ‘I want to: Schedule an inspection‘ or call 775-588-3591 to schedule your Fire Defensible Space Inspection with TDFPD. During the visit, the inspector will review all fire defensible space concerns on your property and go over the rebate program.
- After the inspection, log in to the online inspection portal with the code provided to you by the inspector to review your fire defensible space inspection violations and start your grant pre-application. Along with applying to the grant online, you will need to sign and return the Fire Defensible Space Rebate Agreement to dolson@ntcd.org to be pre-approved.
- Once you submit the pre-application online and the rebate agreement is received, it will be reviewed and approved in the online portal. You have 90 days to complete all of the work required to put your property into defensible space compliance. Please note: this rebate is only for fire defensible space violations. No home hardening violations are covered by this grant.
- After being pre-approved, begin the contractor selection using the Competitive Bid Certification Form. You must obtain at least three quotes before selecting each contractor. The FDS Rebate Contractor List provides a list of contractors that have participated in the NTCD/TDFPD Contractor Workshop and understand the requirements of the Rebate Program. Use of a contractor from this list is not mandatory.
- Select contractor(s) and ensure there is a written contract with each one. The contract must include the itemized work performed, date, signatures of both parties, and the property address. A contractor’s written quote is acceptable as long as it includes all the required information (see the Homeowner-Contractor Scope and Cost Verification Form for a suggested template). The Contract can only include work specifically noted on the Fire Defensible Space Inspection. No additional work, such as replacement planting or revegetation, tree trimming unrelated to defensible space requirements, or general property beautification, is allowed. Please note that contractors must be paid before submitting your reimbursement request.
- When all work is completed, take pictures of the mitigated violations and upload into the online portal.
- Complete the Rebate Submission Checklist and upload it and all other necessary documentation on the Documents page of the portal.
- You will need a passing final inspection from TDFPD confirming all violations have been mitigated.
- Once NTCD has reviewed and approved all required documentation, reimbursement will be processed. Allow one to two months to receive payment.
Become a Firewise Community!
Fire safety doesn’t stop at your property line! Protecting your neighborhood from wildfire takes community leadership. We are looking for local homeowners to help launch Fire Adapted Community (FAC) and Firewise USA® chapters in your area. If you’re interested in taking the next step towards neighborhood fire safety, please reach out!
Becoming a Firewise Community can:
- Improve neighborhood wildfire preparedness
- Lower community-wide wildfire risk
- Strengthen neighbor-to-neighbor collaboration
- Potentially support insurance conversations
Serving as a Firewise leader is a meaningful but manageable commitment. Leaders typically help coordinate a small group of neighbors, schedule at least one annual meeting, and work with NTCD to complete the steps required for Firewise USA® recognition. NTCD provides guidance, templates, and technical support throughout the process. You won’t be doing this alone!
If you’re interested in helping lead or participating, please email dolson@ntcd.org!
Partners and Funding
- USDA Forest Service
- Nevada Division of Forestry
- Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District
- Tahoe Resource Conservation District