Who can sign up for a Chipping Day?

Any property owner in Lake County who has created defensible space or cleared vegetation around their home can request curbside chipping. Piles must be accessible from the roadside and comply with our Chipping Guidelines.

When will my chipping take place?

Chipping Days are scheduled once six or more households in the same neighborhood sign up.
Depending on local participation, it may take 4–8 weeks for your area to be scheduled.

What does it cost?

The program is free to participating residents, thanks to funding through a community wildfire protection grant managed by CLERC.

What can I put in my chip pile?

We can chip clean brush, branches, and small trees up to 6 inches in diameter.
For a full list of accepted materials, visit our Chipping Guidelines page.

What can’t be chipped?

We can’t chip root balls, lumber, vines, construction debris, or piles mixed with dirt or wire. We also cannot chip Oleander, Poison Oak, or thorny vines.
Contaminated piles will not be processed.

Do I need to be home during the chipping?

Nope! As long as your piles are stacked properly and easy to locate from the road, you don’t need to be home.

Do I need to sign anything?

Yes — all participants must complete the Right of Entry Authorization.
This allows our crew to safely access your property to perform the chipping.

What happens to the chips?

In most cases, the chips are left neatly on your property to be used as mulch or ground cover.
If you prefer for us to remove them, you can note that on your sign-up form.

Can I help organize a Chipping Day in my area?

Absolutely! Getting neighbors to sign up is the fastest way to reach the 6+ property minimum.
You can even download our printable flyer to help spread the word.

Who runs the program?

The Community Chipping Program is managed by the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center (CLERC) in partnership with local fire districts and funded through state and federal wildfire mitigation grants.