ADU rules in Tehama County, CA — also called accessory dwelling unit regulations or granny flat ordinances — cover setbacks, owner-occupancy, parking, and permit requirements.
Unincorporated Tehama County allows accessory dwelling units in residential and agricultural zones under Title 17 Section 17.08.050. Because California's ADU law (Gov. Code 66310 et seq.) preempts conflicting local rules, ADUs are approved ministerially with state minimum standards taking precedence over the County's older provisions.
Tehama County's zoning code, Title 17, addresses second/accessory dwelling units at Section 17.08.050, which historically permitted one attached or detached second residential unit in the R-1, RE, AG-1, AG-2, AG-3, AG-4, and NR districts. The County's older text (codified from Ord. 1972, 2012) capped a detached unit at 1,200 square feet, capped an attached unit at 30% of existing living area, and required the owner to maintain occupancy of the main or second residence. The County's Municode publication now titles 17.08.050 'Accessory dwelling units' (updated through Ord. 2148, Aug. 2025) to align with state law. California's ADU statute (Gov. Code 66310 et seq.) preempts conflicting county rules: a detached ADU of at least 800 square feet with 4-foot side and rear setbacks must be allowed, owner-occupancy can no longer be required for ADUs (AB 976), and the County must act on a complete ADU permit application ministerially within 60 days. Junior ADUs (within the existing single-family home, up to 500 sq ft) are also state-protected. Rural/ranch parcels in the AG and NR zones must still satisfy County Environmental Health septic and potable-water findings. Verify current standards with the Planning Department before designing.
Building an ADU without the required ministerial building permit, or exceeding approved size/setback or septic and water capacity, can trigger Title 17 enforcement; under Section 17.78.030 a zoning violation is a misdemeanor with each day a separate offense.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged. California's SB 1383 organics-recycling law requires jurisdictions to provide organic-waste collection and div...
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Unincorporated Tehama County has no ordinance banning or specifically regulating residential artificial turf. There is no county lawn-material rule. Syntheti...
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Native and drought-tolerant landscaping is encouraged, not restricted. Tehama County's General Plan promotes native plants in its oak-woodland and restoratio...
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Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged. California's Rainwater Capture Act (Water Code §10574) lets landowners install rain barrels for outdoor non-pot...
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Unincorporated Tehama County has no countywide outdoor-watering schedule ordinance; its General Plan encourages conservation and defers to state agencies. St...
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Unincorporated Tehama County abates weeds, dry grass, brush and combustible debris through its Fire Hazard Abatement chapter (Code Ch. 9.05), backed by the F...
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