Available to California and Nevada Residents in the Lake Tahoe Basin

The Nevada Fire Safe Council will provide financial assistance to Lake Tahoe Basin residents who comply with defensible space recommendations related to vegetation management. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of 50% for vegetation management costs up to $1000. This program is available to residents living within the Tahoe Basin. Funds are limited. Terms and conditions apply. Eligible residents can receive their rebate by following the five-step process below.

STEP ONE: Get an Inspection. Contact your local fire protection district or department to schedule a defensible space inspection (numbers at right). Fire protection professionals will perform an inspection with the homeowner or homeowner's representative to educate them on the steps necessary to comply with defensible space recommendations. The homeowner will be given one copy of the inspection form with written recommendations.

STEP TWO: Get a voucher. Contact the Tahoe Basin Region of the Nevada Fire Safe Council at (530) 543-3473 to receive a numbered voucher that places you on the rebate list or click here to fill out voucher request form. Vouchers expire within 60 days of issuance. Participants will also be provided a list of contractors that have participated in a defensible space workshop. Residents who are not a member of the Nevada Fire Safe Council will be asked to join at the nominal fee of $20.

STEP THREE: Get fire safe. Hire a contractor to complete the tree and brush removal recommended in Step 1. The homeowner is responsible for insuring that the contractor completes ALL of the vegetation and hazardous debris removal outlined in the initial inspection. The homeowner is responsible for paying the contractor directly. Any work done in addition to vegetation removal recommended in the initial the inspection form is the sole financial responsibility of the property owner. A list of available contractors is provided as a courtesy.

STEP FOUR: Get a rebate evaluation. Once the work is complete, contact the Tahoe Basin Region of the Nevada Fire Safe Council at (530) 543-3473 to schedule a rebate evaluation. NVFSC staff will insure that the work is completed in accordance with the initial inspection. At this time, the property owner must provide NVFSC staff with the following: (1) A copy of the inspection form from Step 1, (2) A copy of the contractors invoice, and (3) the voucher identification number received in Step 2.

STEP FIVE: Get a rebate. If the property owner has taken the necessary vegetation management steps, NVFSC staff will submit the inspection form, contractor invoice, and voucher for the rebate. Rebate checks will be mailed to homeowners within 4-6 weeks of the completed evaluation.