Chipper Program
Grizzly Peak Mitigation Area • Panoramic Hills Mitigation Area • Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone • High Fire Hazard Severity Zone • Flatlands Mitigation Area
The Berkeley Chipper program is a vegetation management program run by the Berkeley Fire Department. The program offers free curbside pickup, chipping, and disposal of vegetation from residential properties.
The purpose of the Chipper program is to assist Berkeley residents with their efforts to create and maintain Defensible Space around their homes by providing a free and convenient service for the disposal of their excess vegetation.
This program runs annually from March to December.
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Is it free?
This resource is completely free!
I want to participate! What do I need to do?
Review all the rules, regulations, and FAQs on the Chipper Reservation Webpage.
Enter your address in the search bar to find upcoming Chipping events in your neighborhood.
Once you find an event, follow the instructions to make a reservation.
When will my pile be picked up?
Pickups usually occur by Thursday evening during your event week (we are unable to provide a specific pickup day).
In 2025, we are running a pilot program. Some events will offer "same day" pickup.
When does the program start and end?
In 2025, the Berkeley Chipping Program will start in mid-March and run through the beginning of December.
Residents can begin making reservations starting on Monday, March 3rd, 2025.
Can I sign up for more than one event?
Yes. To sign up for multiple events, you must complete the sign-up process fully for each event you wish to participate in and receive an individual confirmation for each event.
After signing up for an event, simply return to the homepage and begin the sign-up process again, selecting the next event date you wish to sign up for.
If you no longer require a pickup, please cancel your reservation by following the instructions in the event confirmation email you received when you made the reservation.
Note: Failing to cancel has a financial impact on our program. Late cancellations reduce the number of residents we can serve. Thank you for your cooperation!
Can I have some of the woodchips?
We do not provide chips for residents under any circumstances. This is standard program policy. Please do not ask crew members for an exception.
Thank you for understanding.
How do I cancel my reservation?
Go to the Chipper Reservation Webpage
Click the Manage Your Reservation link near the top of the page
Enter your confirmation number or email address.
Cancel the reservation.
Alternatively, simply open the confirmation email you received, click on the "Manage Reservation" button, and cancel the reservation.
