No-Cost Residential Chipping Program

In an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk in high-hazard areas, the City of Hayward Fire Department will accept applications from May 8, 2026, through June 5, 2026, for its annual No-Cost Residential Chipping Program. Scheduling will be from May 18, 2026, through June 30, 2026, or until funds are depleted.

The program provides free chipping services to residents in the Hayward Hills and Fairview Fire Protection District, aimed at helping property owners create defensible space by removing dry vegetation and tree limbs near their homes. Services are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and early application is encouraged due to limited funding.

Under the program, residents are responsible for cutting, gathering, and stacking the branches at the front of their property. A contractor hired by the city will then perform the chipping on the street during your scheduled day.

Properties eligible for the program include residences east of Mission Boulevard, south of D Street, and up to the border of Union City. This area is identified as a high wildfire hazard zone because of its proximity to open spaces heavily covered in brush and grass.

To participate, residents must complete the 2026 Chipping Application. Once your request is submitted, applicants will have the opportunity to select their desired chipping session and will receive an email confirming their acceptance into the program. Follow-up emails and texts will also be provided as your chipping session gets closer.

Do Not stack your materials for chipping until the weekend of your scheduled chipping session.

  • Tree limbs measuring up to eight inches (8”) in diameter can be chipped.
  • Stack cut tree limbs or brush within 5 feet of the curb or edge of street.
  • Stack limbs with the cut ends facing the street.
  • Stack piles wider than they are high; but not higher than 4 feet.
  • Locate stacks where truck and chipper can easily access them from the street. The chipping contractor will not go beyond the paved street to collect materials.
  • Keep all piles free of rocks, dirt, wire, lumber, spiny plants, poison oak and blackberries. The chipper cannot chip piles of needles or leaves.
  • Chipped materials will be taken away and recycled unless special arrangements are made.

​Residential Assistance Program (RAP)

Grant funding may be available to help senior, disabled, and low-income residents with expenses associated with cutting, trimming, and stacking limbs and branches through our Residential Assistance Program (RAP). To determine if you or someone you know is eligible for assistance, please email FiresafeHFD@hayward-ca.gov and include your full name, address, and contact information.  An application will be emailed to you to be completed and returned by email.

Please visit our website www.hayward-ca.gov/defensible-space for more information about defensible space, home hardening, our abatement ordinance, annual inspection surveys, and our chipping program.

Questions? Email: FiresafeHFD@hayward-ca.gov or call the Fire Administration Office at (510) 583-4930.