If you Live on a greenbelt

Step 1 - Talk to your neighbors, organize your street:

• • Discuss the project with your neighbors—fuel breaks are most effective when everyone participates.

  • Agree on how much brush to remove between homes or near trails.

  • Address privacy concerns upfront as a group.

Step 2 - Understand the guidelines for correctly cutting a shaded fuel break:

• • How to create a shaded fuel break is an illustrated guide on the Do's, Don'ts, How To's, Best practices and Examples. 

  • You must follow these guidelines closely for best results and to avoid HOA or Travis County BCP fines (e.g. do not clear cut!).

Step 3 - Get professional advice:
Get a free Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) Assessment with Lake Travis Fire Rescue or a trained Steiner Firewise volunteer. Assessments are confidential and usually take less than an hour. 

Step 4 (SRMA only) - Get HOA permission

• Submit a SRMA Architectural Modification Application Form

• Not required for SRROA: Chaparral, Hancock Hill, Mesa North, Plateau, Rocky Ridge, Summit or Valley at East Ridge

• Contact UT Golf Club and The Reserve for their policies

Step 5 - Cut a shaded fuel break 20-30 feet behind your back fence line:

• Carefully follow the cutting guidelines in Step 2 above

• Watch Lake Travis Fire Rescue video on shaded fuel breaks

• See a list of homeowner recommended tree services on our Facebook Group page.

• LTFR and Steiner Firewise volunteers are available to advise you during your project.

Step 6 - Remove all debris (chip or haul away):

• • Make sure you have a plan before you start cutting.

  • SRROA ONLY: request free pickup on Mon Sep 22

  • Free brush drop off is available at Austin Water’s Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant (2210 FM 973, Austin, TX) 8 a.m.– 3 p.m., Monday–Saturday.

  • Texas Disposal Systems bulk pickup accepts tree branches up to 4" in diameter. 

  • Consider hiring a tree service or using a roll off container.

Step 7 - Tell the SRMA HOA Architectural Committee you're done: Complete SRMA architectural committee inspection of your work.