Articles
WHAT IS THIS FEE?
The State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Prevention Benefit Fee was enacted following the signing of Assembly Bill X1 29 in July 2011. This fee is imposed by the State of California and not by the El Dorado Hills Fire Department. The law approved the new annual Fire Prevention Fee to pay for fire prevention services within the SRA.
The fee is levied at the rate of $150 per habitable structure, which is defined as a building that can be occupied for residential use. Owners of habitable structures who are also within the boundaries of El Dorado Hills Fire District will receive a reduction of $35 per habitable structure.
CAL FIRE fee bills are due to be mailed to El Dorado County property owners starting the first week of September. The State Responsibility Area Viewer allows users to view the spatial distribution of SRA at different scales and for different areas of the state. It can also be used to search for a specific address to help determine if someone is in or out of SRA.
For more information about the Fire Prevention Fee, please visit: www.FirePreventionFee.org or call 1-888-310-6447.
WHAT IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S STANCE?
The El Dorado Hills Fire Department has opposed the CalFire SRA (State Responsibility Area) Fee from its inception. Recently the Board of Directors has adopted a resolution against the fee. Please see the News Release and Resolution below, along with maps of the El Dorado Hills Fire SRA/LRA Maps.
This fee has been formally opposed by the El Dorado County Fire Chiefs' Association.
EDHFD Board of Directors SRA Resolution
El Dorado Hills SRA LRA Maps - These maps focus on the areas in EDH that are Local Responsibility Areas. If you live in EDH and your residence is not on this map, then it is considered to be an State Responsiblity Area. Please visit the State Responsibility Area Viewer website linked above to enter in your address.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PROPERLY PROTEST THIS FEE?
1) Open this letter and personalize the appropriate areas. SRA Appeal Letter PDF Version of letter
2) Obtain a Property Information document by visiting www.edcgov.us/assessor. Click the "On Line Property Information" link on the left. Enter your APN and then print the document. On the Tax Rate Area Table, highlight County Water - El Dorado Hills JT. Also, highlight the note at the bottom of that table that refers to Fire Protection.
3) Complete the Petition Form and print. Petition Form
4) Make copies of the documents above so that you have 3 sets. Mail one set to each address listed below:
Fire Prevention Petitions, P.O. Box 2254, Suisun City, CA 94585
Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244
Board of Equalization, P.O. Box 942879, Sacramento, CA 94279
It is recommended that you pay this fee on time to avoid any possible penalties. It is recommended that you write "Paid in Protest" on your check and on the bill and keep copies of both before mailing in.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Administrative Offices at (916) 933-6623. For more helpful tips, click on the following link: Mountain Democrat article
WHAT DO I DO IF MY PETITION WAS DENIED?
If you have submitted a protest, you may receive a response from CAL Fire denying your petition. To read more about what you can do next, click here...