Southern Marin homeowners who receive a Wildfire Risk Home Evaluation report have a step-by-step guide for what comes next, thanks to new guidance Fire Safe Marin published Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The nonprofit's guide, authored by Julian Kaelon, breaks down the personalized reports into two categories that matter: violations, which are legally required fixes, and recommendations, which are optional but research-backed improvements. For residents in Larkspur and Corte Madera served by Central Marin Fire Department, violations are typically expected to be corrected within about 30 to 60 days, with reinspections to follow.
Violations vs. recommendations
Violations flag conditions that don't meet state or local defensible space requirements. Think overgrown vegetation within the clearance zone or combustible materials stacked against the house. Homeowners who receive a violation should follow the instructions in their report or contact their local fire agency.
Recommendations go further. They might include installing ember-resistant vents, enclosing open eaves, replacing a wooden fence attached to the home or removing combustible items near the structure. These aren't required. They are based on wildfire research and lessons from real fires, according to Fire Safe Marin.
The report is private
One detail that may ease homeowners' concerns: the report is not shared with insurance companies. Only the homeowner and their local fire agency can access it. That said, Fire Safe Marin notes some insurers may consider wildfire safety improvements when evaluating a property, so it's worth asking.
How to access your report
Homeowners can view their report online at www.defensiblespacereport.org/marin using a six-digit access code provided by inspectors. The code stays the same year to year. Printed copies are available by calling (415) 275-1185. Reports are available to property owners, renters and authorized representatives.
Financial help may be available
Some improvements identified in a report may qualify for financial assistance through local fire agencies or other wildfire prevention programs. Eligibility and funding vary by location, and in many cases the work must appear in the report before a homeowner can apply.
Program results across Marin
The countywide evaluation program, funded by Measure C through the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority, has completed 79,937 parcel evaluations across Marin from 2023 through 2025, according to Fire Safe Marin program data. Marin County has 87,324 residential parcels across five zones, including Southern Marin, with each parcel targeted for evaluation roughly once every three years.
The results suggest the program is gaining traction. The number of defensible space violations confirmed as mitigated by homeowners rose from 20,835 in 2023 to 51,836 in 2025, a 149% increase. By 2025, 77% of evaluated parcels met the benchmark of a projected flame length of four feet or less around the structure.
Fire Safe Marin's guidance urges homeowners not to feel overwhelmed by a long list of items. The organization advises focusing first on required corrections, then tackling the highest-priority recommendations one at a time, marking each as resolved in the online portal and uploading photos when possible.
Southern Marin Fire and the Mill Valley Police Department will hold a Hillside Fire Community Meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., covering fire investigation, response and emergency preparedness resources.
