There are two ways to get an exemption from the Briceland Fire Protection District parcel tax: the “contiguous parcel/reduced fire hazard” exemption or the “hardship” exemption. Below are the complete texts of both ordinances for reading online.
For a printable .PDF file of each ordinance, click on the appropriate highlighted links at the beginning of each section.
CONTIGUOUS PARCEL/REDUCED FIRE HAZARD EXEMPTION APPLICATION FORM:
CLICK HERE FOR CONTIGUOUS PARCEL:REDUCED FIRE HAZARD EXEMPTION APPLICATION FORM
POLICY: The Briceland Fire Protection District has established by Ordinance 2013 -01, Section 3. A a Contiguous Parcel/Fire Hazard Exemption to allow “Parcels which are contiguous, undeveloped, held under identical ownership and can be demonstrated to contain average fuel loading below a given threshold, to be determined by the District, may, upon approval of an application of the owners thereof to the District Board, be treated as a single parcel for purposes of this special tax.”
Guidelines: Specific Policies, procedures, definitions and details of the approval process are contained in Resolution 2013-01 and subsequent updates, copies of which are available on the District Web Site for download or copies available from the Briceland District Secretary or at the Briceland Volunteer Fire Department. The following definitions are provided as assistance in filling out the form.
Definitions:
Contiguous: Parcels which share a common border. They need not share a common access, although they usually would.
Undeveloped: No permanent structures, fuel storage, or power source (on or off grid) are allowed. Water Storage and/or transfer equipment and fencing is allowed.
Identical Ownership: The District Board will allow substantial latitude in determining ownership and control of contiguous parcels, as spelled out by
Resolution. In the event that the owner of record of two properties is not identical, the applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the District Board that they have a controlling interest in the properties claimed as contiguous. Such properties may include parcels owned by corporations, trusts, or estates.
Fuel Loading: The oven dry weight of fuels in a given area, measured in tons per acre.
Maps Attached: Suitable maps include portions of the Briceland FPD map and/or Assessor Parcel maps.
Proof of Deed or Title: Suitable proofs include recent property tax bill with parcel number or copy of first page of Deed or Title.
Briceland Fire Protection District P.O. Box 1141 Redway, CA 95560-1141
Applicants Name
Date
Owner(s) Name of Record
Other Name(s) of Record On Included Parcels
Address of Record
Additional Address(s) If Required
Map(s) Attached Proof of Deed or Title Attached
Parcel Numbers:
Applicant Signature
Date
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HARDSHIP EXEMPTION APPLICATION FORM:
CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE HARDSHIP EXEMPTION APPLICATION FORM
POLICY: The Briceland Fire Protection District has established by Ordinance 2013 -01, Section 3. B a Hardship Exemption “to allow landowners who fall within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines for ‘very low’; or ‘poverty level’ income to apply to the Briceland FPD Board for an exemption from the tax by submitting an application form contained as Attachment B containing the owner(s) name, the most recent property tax bill to demonstrate property ownership, and declaration under penalty of perjury that the applicant(s) qualify for the exemption per the guidelines on the form, which will be revised annually in July to reflect changing HUD guidelines.”
Guidelines: Regardless of where a person lives in California, the poverty line is $10,830 for a single person, based on 2010 HHS figures. HHS tacks an additional $3,740 on to that number for each additional family member, making the federal poverty line $14,570 for a couple, $18,310 for a family of three, and $22,050 for a family of four.
I declare that my income meets the “very low” or “poverty level” guidelines and for that reason I wish to apply for an exemption from payment of the Fire District parcel tax for the tax year 20_____.
Number of Family Members
Income for Preceding Year
Property Owner Legal Name(s)
Assessor Parcel Number
I have attached a copy of the most recent property tax bill for this parcel number.
I DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THAT THE FORGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT VERIFICATION OF INCOME MAY BE REQUIRED, AND THAT THIS FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED EACH YEAR AN EXEMPTION IS DESIRED.
Signature (Only one owner need sign)
Date