Tehama County, CA Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)
Garage conversion rules in Tehama County, CA, sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions, govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 17.08.050(A)(10)
- Ground-floor garage conversion
- No setback required
- Above-garage ADU setback
- Max 5 ft, side/rear
- Applies only in
- Unincorporated Tehama County
Summary
Converting an existing garage into an accessory dwelling unit in the unincorporated area of Tehama County needs no side or rear setback, and a garage-top ADU only needs a 5-foot setback.
Setbacks are not required for an existing garage that is converted to an accessory dwelling unit, and a setback of no more than five feet from the side and rear lot lines are not required for an accessory dwelling unit that is constructed above a garage.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
Tehama County Code Section 17.08.050(A)(10) waives the usual side- and rear-yard setbacks when an existing garage in the unincorporated area's R-1, RE, AG-1 through AG-4, or NR districts is converted into an accessory dwelling unit. An ADU built above a garage gets a reduced setback of no more than five feet from the side and rear lot lines instead of the standard district setback. The exemption applies only to garage-based ADUs, not to new detached ADUs built elsewhere on the lot, and only within unincorporated Tehama County; Red Bluff, Corning, and the City of Tehama set their own rules.
Violations & Fines
Skipping the required building permit and inspection for a garage-to-ADU conversion is a code violation; the county can require correction or removal of unpermitted work under its zoning enforcement process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a setback to convert my garage into an ADU in Tehama County?
What about an ADU built above a garage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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