Chipping Program

SEASONAL CURBSIDE CHIPPING

Learn more about “Ready for Wildfire”
The Defensible Space Inspection Program
Tree Removal Permits

Alpine Meadows Residents: Please visit Placer County’s Chipper Program to request a paid service.

Weekly Area Rotations by date:

Requests will open on 5/1/2025. Chipping begins the first week of June.

The last day to request for the 2024 chipping season is 10/13/2024. The chipping crew will complete one final rotation in all zones to chip any remaining pile in any zone between 10/23 and 11/01.

Area 1:
Speedboat, Brockway, Kings Beach, Tall Trees/Wood Vista, Kingswood Estates, Kingswood West, Tahoe Vista, Tahoe Estates, Agate Bay, Carnelian Bay
(6/5-6/11), (7/3-7/9), (7/31-8/6), (8/28-9/3), (9/25-10/1)

Area 2:
Ridgewood, Cedar Flat, Fulton Acres, Carnelian Heights, Highlands, Dollar Hill, Dollar Point, Lake Forest, Tahoe City, Granlibakken, Sunnyside, Tahoe Park, Talmont
(6/12-6/18), (7/10-7/16), (8/7-8/13), (9/4-9/10), (10/2-10/8)

Area 3:
Pineland, Ward Creek, Alpine Peaks, Timberland, Skyland, Tahoe Pines, Tahoe Swiss Village, Homewood, Chamberlands
(6/19-6/25), (7/17-7/23), (8/14-8/20), (9/11-9/17), (10/9-10/15)

Area 4:
McKinney Rubicon Springs/McKinney Estates, Tahoma, Glenridge, Meeks Bay, Rubicon Bay, Tahoe Hills, Emerald Bay Tract
(6/26-7/2), (7/24-7/30), (8/21-8/27), (9/18-9/24), (10/16-10/22)

Please read the following:

  • Please submit chipping requests at least one week before the crew is scheduled to be in the area. Requests received after the deadline may not be chipped until the next rotation.

  • The chipping crew is a fire crew and can be deployed to fires in the area, or to out-of-area fires. This may delay the rotation. Crews will resume chipping upon their return.

  • This is a grant-funded residential curbside chipping program to support property owners as they create defensible space, with a goal of reducing vegetation that would be fuel in a wildfire. This program is not meant to be used by tree service and defensible space contractors. Large piles left by contractors will not be chipped.

  • Condominium Associations and businesses are generally not eligible for the chipping program.

  • Pile sizes are limited to 6 feet in height, 6 feet in width, and 20 feet in length. Build piles longer, not higher.

  • Piles need to be placed at the edge of the street with the cut end of the vegetation facing the street. Piles set further back on the property will not be chipped.

  • Residents have five opportunities to get their materials chipped over the summer months.

  • Vegetation cannot exceed 6 inches in diameter.

  • No pine needles, bark, pinecones, stumps, nails, lumber, residential waste, or dirt.

  • Chips will be left on-site and can be spread around the property for landscaping or erosion control.

  • Chips cannot be located within 5 feet of any structure or combustible attachment.

  • Spread the chips to a maximum depth of 3” to create mulch areas.

  • Use noncombustible areas (dirt/rock/irrigated lawns) to break up large areas of continuous chips.

  • For questions about chipping, call 530-584-2322.

Additional Resources:

  • Drop Off: Through October 31– Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD) Residents are allowed to drop off up to 6 yards of yard-waste material to the Eastern Regional Landfill (ERL). If material is transported in bags, the bags must be emptied on site by the hauler. To facilitate unloading, position a tarp on the bottom of the truck bed or trailer before loading the material.  Don’t forget to cover the load for safe hauling. In order to be issued their punch card for free drop-off, residents are required to bring proof of residency. ERL is located on Cabin Creek Road off HWY 89 three miles south of the Mouse Hole Tunnel. Free drop-off is available May 1 – October 31, Monday – Saturday, 8am – 4pm.

  • Greenwaste Dumpster: During the months of May, June and July Placer County residents may purchase up to two 6-yard, Yard-Waste only dumpsters at the approved green waste disposal rates. Use of Yard-Waste Dumpsters is restricted to natural loose yard waste material and must not contain any bagged items. Dumpsters also accommodate larger woody material such as limbs and branches in addition to pine needles, pinecones, brush and garden waste. Call 530-583-7800 for pricing and info.