A cost share is the amount that residents will pay to participate in the chipping program. The cost share amount for 2025 is $150 per participating household

When will the chipping program start, and what months will it operate?

Chipping will begin in February 2025.. The chipping program will be year-round, though the months that it will be active will depend on resident demand. 

How often can I have chipping done and how much can I have chipped?

A minimum of one chipping appointment for up to 90 minutes, per participating household, per year. Additional chipping appointments for a given household may become available, depending upon the number of participating households.

What services will be provided?

Chipping only. Chips will be broadcast or piled - they will not be hauled away. Residents are responsible for all other defensible space activities, including-but-not-limited-to trimming, limbing, felling trees, dragging slash to a roadway accessible by the chipper, stacking slash neatly in a pile (butt-ends facing the roadway). 

What types of vegetation can be chipped?

Most branches and tree trunks of 10" in diameter or less.

What cannot be chipped?

Succulents, poison oak, vegetation covered in dirt or intermixed with rocks, machine-piled slash (stacked with a tractor or other mechanical equipment), old slash piles interwoven with vines.

How do we request/schedule chipping?

The Big Sur Chipping Program link on chipbigsur.com. 

How will weather, road closures, fires or other events affect the availability of chipping?

The chipping program will be flexible, adjusting to local conditions and resident demand.

We live on the (Big Sur) South Coast - is chipping available to us?

Yes. All residential communities that access Hwy 1 between Malpaso Creek (Hwy 1 mile marker 70) and the San Luis Obispo County line (Hwy 1 mile marker 0) are eligible to participate.  

Will you chip in Palo Colorado Canyon?

Yes. All residential communities that access Hwy 1 between Malpaso Creek (Hwy 1 mile marker 70) and the San Luis Obispo County line (Hwy 1 mile marker 0) are eligible to participate.  

Who will conduct the chipping?

A Big Sur contractor will perform the work. One or more Program Managers, also Big Sur residents, will manage scheduling and other day-to-day operations.

Will other Big Sur organizations participate in the chipping program?

We're discussing possible collaborations.