A home ignition zone evaluation is a review of the vulnerability of your house and landscape to wildfire and ember-ignition. During this assessment, an evaluator will review defensible space and home hardening principles and make specific recommendations based on your property.

This service is provided free of charge until the grant funds are exhausted, and afterward as a fee service. So get in touch right away to reserve your spot.

Please consider donating to help support our mission to develop resilient communities in the Santa Monica Mountains. Less than 35% of our annual operating budget comes from County property tax revenue. The remainder of our budget comes from competitively-sought grants like the one funding the HIZEP, as well as from contracts and donations.

• Keep our gutters and roofs clears of leaves and debris.
• Maintain a 5-foot non-combustible zone around your home and deck.
• Break up fuel by creating space between plants, and between the found and the branches of trees.

Design Parameters for Creating Sustainable Defensible Space

Easy Zone by Zone Design Guide

Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Resilience Homeowner Handbook

The City of Agoura Hills is offering a one-time $1000 grant for eligible property owners to promote home hardening of their properties, and provide an incentive for residents to participate in the Home Ignition Zone Evaluation Program (HIZEP) provided by the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCD).   The one-time grant is an incentive to assist with implementing recommendations from the HIZEP report.  Grants will be available on a first come-first serve basis until funding is no longer available.

Eligible residential property owners consist of:

• Applicant is the legal property owner on record
• Residential property is located within the City limits
• Applicant has participated in the RCD’s HIZEP and received a report
• Applicant is in compliance with all applicable health, building, zoning, subdivision, licensing history preservation, environmental, planning and land use laws, and regulations
• Applicant has paid all taxes and fees owed to the City of Agoura Hills
• Applicant has no liens connected to the property

Participation in the grant program requires the following:

• Participation in the RCD’s HIZEP
• Possession of a RCD HIZEP report
• An estimate of either a home hardening technology/product installation or service
• Completion of the City of Agoura Hills Home Hardening Wildfire Resiliency Incentive Grant Application
• Execute the City of Agoura Hills Home Hardening Wildlife Resiliency Incentive Grant Program Grant Agreement.

Grant agreements will require the property owner to keep and maintain the home hardening technology for five years from the City’s grant agreement termination period, June 30, 2025.

Grant applicants may not begin identified improvement or technology installation until a notice to proceed is given by the city.

The home hardening technologies the City grant program will allow are:

• Home Hardening Technologies – Fire Resistant Vents
• Rain Gutter Covers
• Plant Removal (Fire ignitable vegetation)
• Home Hardening Technologies – Fire Wise Landscape Plant Materials
• Home Hardening Services – Fire Wise Landscape Design Services
• Home Hardening Services – Fire Wise Landscape Installation*
• Fence Replacement (Noncombustible materials)

*Must be installed by a landscape professional 

There is no cost to participate.

Eligible property owners must:

• Complete and submit the City of Agoura Hills Home Hardening Wildfire Resiliency Incentive Grant Application
• Possess and submit of a RCD HIZEP report with your grant application
• Present with your application documentation showing an estimate of either a home hardening technology/product installation or service application.

 Application and supporting documents can be mailed to City Hall:

City of Agoura Hills
30001 Ladyface Court
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Attn:  Louis Celaya, Deputy City Manager

Or submitted electronically to:  LCelaya@AgouraHillsCity.org. Enter “Home Hardening Grant Application” in the subject line. 

Applications will be reviewed by City staff and upon verification all necessary documents, the City of Agoura Hills Home Hardening Wildlife Resiliency Incentive Grant Program Grant Agreement will be prepared for signature. 

Grant applicants may not begin identified improvement or technology installation until a notice to proceed is given by the city.

Grants will be provided on a reimbursement basis after all documents and agreements are fully executed, and the home hardening technology installation or service has been verified.  

 Applicants submitting reimbursement request acknowledge that to receive grant funding reimbursement, the City must receive:  1) Executed W-9 form, 2) Copy of paid invoice(s) for products purchased or services performed, and 3) Form of proof of payment from a financial institution detailing the amount (i.e., processed check payment), or proof of electronic payment from a P2P digital payment or APP payment services (i.e., Zelle, Venmo, Paypal, Google Pay, etc.,) detailing the amount.  Invoices identified as payments made in cash are not acceptable.