Tehama County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Tehama County

Tehama County's code applies only in unincorporated areas. It sets its own setbacks for barns, stables, chicken houses and similar buildings in A districts.

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Key points

Side setback: In an A district in unincorporated Tehama County, barns, stables and chicken houses must be at least 10 feet from any side property line.
Building spacing: In an A district, Tehama County requires barns, stables, chicken houses and similar buildings to be at least 40 feet from any building.

Each rule below is marked Tehama County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Tehama County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Tehama County have their own codes and their own pages.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 10 feet from any side property line. Applies: Barns, stables, chicken houses and similar accessory buildings in an A district. § 17.48.040 · code text barns, stables, chicken houses, similar accessory buildings shall not be less than fifty feet from the front building line, nor less than ten feet from any side property line nor less than forty feet from any building.
Distance from the house	At least 40 feet from any building. Applies: Barns, stables, chicken houses and similar accessory buildings in an A district. § 17.48.040 · code text barns, stables, chicken houses, similar accessory buildings shall not be less than fifty feet from the front building line, nor less than ten feet from any side property line nor less than forty feet from any building.

RV and boat parking

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Where it may be parked	On the lot, at least 5 feet from side and rear lines and 20 feet back in the front yard. Applies: Applies to unoccupied RVs or travel trailers stored on property with a home, disconnected from all utilities. § 17.86.110 · code text That the placement of such recreational vehicle(s) or travel trailer(s) shall comply with the minimum setback of five feet on side yards and twenty feet in front yards and five feet on rear yards;

Solar panels and EV chargers

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Solar permit process	Apply electronically; electronic signatures are accepted; only one inspection is required. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.60.040 · code text The director of the building department shall make the checklist and all permitting documentation required for a small residential rooftop solar energy system available to the public on the county website. The building department shall accept applications for such energy systems through electronic submittal Administrative approval and all required permits. Applies: Applies when the application is complete, correct, and meets the checklist. § 15.60.040 · code text staff shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Swimming pools

Tehama County code At least 2 of 7 drowning prevention features; one must be an enclosure, removable mesh fence, or safety cover. Removable mesh fencing that meets ASTM F2286 standards.

All 7 Tehama County rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins. Applies: In any area of special flood hazard. § 15.52.310 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.52.230.
Height of the lowest floor	At or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A zone. § 15.52.410 · code text In an A zone, elevated to or above the base flood elevation; said base flood elevation shall be determined by one of the methods in Section 15.52.330(B) of this chapter. Above the highest adjacent grade, at least as high as the FIRM depth number. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when a depth number is given. § 15.52.410 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. At least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when no depth number is given. § 15.52.410 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. At or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in all other zones. § 15.52.410 · code text In all other zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.

Grading and erosion control

Tehama County code A wet weather operating and erosion control plan, approved before work starts. Gardening and farming; brush clearing and firebreaks for fire safety; temporary utility trenches; emergency grading.

All 3 Tehama County rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →

Park and impact fees for new homes

Tehama County code Rebuilding after fire, other casualty or voluntary demolition is exempt if no more or larger structures result. $55.00 per unit.

All 8 Tehama County rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
Zoning	A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)
Business license or fee	A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)
Local rules	Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)
Small home	Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)
Large home	7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)

Group homes and residential care

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Homes for 6 or fewer	Deemed a one-family dwelling, with the same requirements, standards and restrictions as other one-family dwellings in the same zone. Applies: Applies to a residential facility serving 6 or fewer persons. § 17.08.013 · code text A "residential facility," as defined in Health and Safety Code section 1502, subdivision (a)(1), as hereafter amended, that serves six or fewer persons.

Other Tehama County rules on this

Tehama County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Animal raising combining district (Ch. 17.48) — residential lots with the animal raising combining district
Where beehives may be kept (§ 7.07.060)
Noise control (Ch. 17.77)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Tehama County?

In an A district in unincorporated Tehama County, barns, stables and chicken houses must be at least 10 feet from any side property line. In an A district, Tehama County requires barns, stables, chicken houses and similar buildings to be at least 40 feet from any building.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Tehama County?

Tehama County's code: On the lot, at least 5 feet from side and rear lines and 20 feet back in the front yard. (Applies to unoccupied RVs or travel trailers stored on property with a home, disconnected from all utilities.) (§ 17.86.110).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Tehama County?

Tehama County's code: Apply electronically; electronic signatures are accepted; only one inspection is required. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.60.040); Administrative approval and all required permits. (Applies when the application is complete, correct, and meets the checklist.) (§ 15.60.040).

What are the rules for building in a Tehama County flood zone?

Tehama County's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins. (In any area of special flood hazard.) (§ 15.52.310); At or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.) (§ 15.52.410).

Can I run a family child care home in Tehama County?

California law sets this for every city, including Tehama County: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).

Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Tehama County?

Tehama County's code: Deemed a one-family dwelling, with the same requirements, standards and restrictions as other one-family dwellings in the same zone. (Applies to a residential facility serving 6 or fewer persons.) (§ 17.08.013).

General information, not legal advice.

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Zoning districts in Tehama County