WHAT IS AN ACCESS CARD . . . AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?
We all know the drill: there is a fire raging nearby but it hasn’t hit the canyon yet; or the Boulevard is flooded; or there’s a terrible accident; or an earthquake has just rattled the area. For safety reasons, the Fire Department, California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Sheriff’s Department may have decided to close Topanga Canyon. But at some point, when it’s safe to do so, they may only allow residents back into Topanga. What if you don’t have the appropriate ID to get back in?

The Topanga Town Council met with local officials to create a new re-entry system—the Topanga Emergency Access Card—which is a photo ID whose design was approved by the CHP and Sheriff’s Department, allowing card holders an easier and faster re-entry into the canyon during a ‘resident only’ road closure. The card’s design changes every year, displaying the holder’s photo, the current year and the Zone where they live (refer to Topanga Survival Guide to identify your Zone).

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TO HAVING AN ACCESS CARD?

• It will not show a physical address (to prevent identity theft)
• Children, the elderly and disabled residents with Access Cards will be able to gain entry into the canyon with a non-resident driver.
• The Access Card will display each resident's LA County-established Zone number, invaluable when a Zone is open only to its residents. Roadblock officers will expedite access to residents based on the printed Zone number on the Access Card. (Currently, officers must look up each street and then the Zone, thus creating a traffic delay).
• The Access Card has important phone numbers on the backside to aid in emergencies.
• The Topanga Town Council works with the captains at CHP and Sheriffs to train the officers at the roadblocks to recognize the Access Cards.

WHEN WILL THE CARD NOT WORK?
In the case of mandatory evacuation or other events where the canyon is closed to everyone including residents, the Access Card will not apply. DO I NEED A NEW CARD EVERY YEAR?
Yes. You need to re-apply every year, but adults only need to have their photo taken every 5 years (children under 16 every 2 years).
To register, people must show proof of residency with a Topanga address, such as a California driver's license, utility bill, auto insurance bill, mortgage or bank statement. The TTC will take each resident's photo to display on the Access Card.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR AN ACCESS CARD?
New Registrants: You can register and pay online, or mail it in. Then come to an Access Card photo event (link to dates). Be sure to bring proof of your Topanga residency to the event(document showing your name with your Topanga address). EACH APPLICANT MUST SHOW PROOF OF RESIDENCY IN PERSON.
2009 Card Holders: You can register and pay online, or mail it in. Be sure to include verification of your Topanga residency (document showing your name with your Topanga address). Documents received will be shredded for your protection.

YOU DO NOT NEED A NEW PHOTO! Adults only need to have their photo taken every 5 years (children under 16 every 2 years). Once we receive your form, verification and money, we will mail your card to your Topanga address unless otherwise noted.Click here to register and pay online If you prefer, you can come to an Access Card Registration Event to re-register. (link to dates) 

CHECKS ARE MADE PAYABLE TO:
Topanga Town CouncilMAIL MONEY, FORM, VERIFICATION TO:
Topanga Town Council, P.O. Box 1085, Topanga, CA 90290HOW MUCH IS THE CARD?
The cost is $12 per card for the first three cards; each additional card is $10.

WHERE DOES MY MONEY GO?
Glad you asked! The Access Card is the main source of revenue for the Town Council. Funds collected from the Access Card program support the work of the TTC and its many projects, among them the Topanga Emergency Task Force, Graffiti patrol, Canyon Sages (senior program), Topanga Elementary School's Essay Contest, the Do Gooders' Awards, the Red Flag Campaign, the Community Calendar, Fire Station 69's Annual Dinner, the Adopt-A-Highway Campaign, the Topanga Creek Cleanup and many more.
Additional donations are gladly accepted!

WHAT HAPPENS IF I PRE-PAY AND CAN’T MAKE IT TO A PHOTO EVENT?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept photos that are not taken by the Topanga Town Council. Be sure to always check our website for additional registration opportunities. Please know your application fee is non-refundable and will be used for many worthwhile community projects. You’ll be helping make Topanga a better place to live!