Placer Supervisors approve qualification change for defensible space pilot

The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved a guideline change for the defensible space fuels reduction pilot program during its consent agenda Tuesday. The pilot program, approved by the board on July 12, aims to assist residents in unincorporated Placer County who are permanently disabled or at least 65 years of age with properties considered high risk due to interaction with code enforcement with achieving compliance with Placer's Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Ordinance. The program allows $5,000 of funding to be available for each property treated. The program previously required residents' annual income to meet very low income requirements as defined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. According to the staff report, defensible space inspectors found the income guidelines would prohibit property owners who have been provided program information from participating. As a result, the income guideline has been amended from very low to low income. The staff report notes the change will increase residents' eligibility and participation in the program. According to program information within the staff report, application acceptance for the pilot will begin Dec. 1.