Get up to $10,000 in rebates to reduce your wildfire risk*

Get a FREE wildfire risk assessment to become eligible for up to $10,000 in rebates to reduce your wildfire risk*

* Final rebate amounts are subject to change.

About

SoCo Adapts is a program to help Sonoma County communities reduce wildfire risk. Permit Sonoma received grants from FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to perform this critical work and contracted with Madronus Wildfire Defense to offer free wildfire risk assessments to residents in the SoCo Adapts program areas. You can learn more about the program at SoCoAdapts.org.

It’s easy:

  • Schedule a quick phone consultation
  • Madronus will assess your home
  • Receive your report and treatment plan
  • Become eligible for up to $10,000 in rebates!

How it works

Schedule consultation

Choose a time for Madronus to call you, 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 home's wildfire risks, take photos and notes, and review their initial findings with you. Assessments typically take about two hours.

Report and plan

Within a few days, you will receive an assessment report with recommendations to reduce your risk, which may be eligible for rebate incentives.

FAQ

Is it really free?

Yes. Home Wildfire Risk Assessments are available at no cost to the first 1,000 eligible residents who sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis. To be eligible, residents must be in the SoCo Adapts program areas.

Can I see a map of the SoCo Adapts program areas?

Yes! See a map of the SoCo Adapts program areas.

Is there any commitment? Do I have to harden my home if I get an assessment?

No. There’s no obligation to do any of the recommendations in your Home Wildfire Risk Assessment. The risk assessment aims to educate residents about reducing wildfire risk and qualify them to apply for a $10,000 rebate to get it done!

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 home and can access vents, windows, and other exterior features.

While most of the assessment takes place outside the home, to assess the wildfire risks of exterior doors, garage doors, garages, and sheds, the Madronus assessor may 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 two hours but can range from 1.5-3 hours.

Can I be fined for code violations during a structure hardening assessment?

No. Madronus assessors do not have the authority to conduct code enforcement or issue citations. Permit Sonoma will not cite a program participant based on information collected during assessments unless a significant life safety risk is identified. The County's goal for SoCoAdapts 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?

The Defensible Space Assessment you received from Permit Sonoma was focused on "defensible space": the trees and plants within 100 feet of your home. Your Madronus Wildfire Risk Assessment will focus almost entirely on your home and the immediate surroundings that may be vulnerable to wildfire ignition.

Do I have to be present for the Structure Hardening Assessment?

You are not required to be present. However, we recommend that you or your representative be present during the assessment, if at all possible. If you cannot be present, please mention this during your phone consultation.

When will SoCo Adapts rebate incentives become available?

Please visit SoCoAdapts.org for more information. Rebates will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Join the SoCo Adapts email list to receive important updates on requirements and deadlines.

What if I’m not in the project area?

Go to the SoCo Adapts Eligibility Lookup to confirm your eligibility to participate in the program. If you are not eligible to participate in the program, you may request a Defensible Space Inspection from your local fire district. If you don't know your fire district or have questions, please email FirePrevention@sonoma-county.org.

Where can I learn more information about the program?

Please visit SoCoAdapts.org for more general information, including the detailed project FAQ. Join the SoCo Adapts email list to receive important updates on the program.