Tehama County, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Tehama County, CA, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Size limit (no permit)
- 120 sq ft or less
- Setback from dwelling
- Minimum 6 feet
- Placement limits
- No easements or required setbacks
- Over the limit
- Standard building permit required
Summary
A detached storage shed in unincorporated Tehama County needs no building permit if it's 120 square feet or smaller, at least 6 feet from the house, and clear of setbacks and utility easements.
One-story detached residential accessory buildings used as tool or storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the structure is not located on a public utility easement or in front, rear and side setbacks required by the zoning code of Tehama County. The floor area shall not exceed one hundred twenty square feet. The structure shall be a minimum of six feet from the dwelling or accessory buildings.
Item 2. Fences not over six feet in height.
Item 3. Oil derricks.
Item 4. Movable cases, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches high.
Item 5. Retaining walls which are not over four feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids.
Item 6. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one.
Item 7. Platforms, decks, walks and driveways not more than thirty inches above grade and not over any basement or story below, accessory to a Group R, Division 3 occupancy, and not subject to snow loading.
Item 8. Painting, papering and similar finish work.
Item 9. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
Item 10. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of a Group R, Division 3 and Group U occupancies when projecting not more than fifty-four inches.
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 § 15.02.310(B)(1) exempts one-story detached residential accessory buildings, tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures, from the building permit requirement, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet, the shed sits at least six feet from the dwelling or other accessory buildings, and it is not placed on a public utility easement or within the front, rear, or side setbacks the county zoning code requires. A shed that exceeds these limits, or violates the setback or easement conditions, needs a standard building permit. This exemption applies only in unincorporated Tehama County, Red Bluff, Corning, and the City of Tehama enforce their own building codes.
Violations & Fines
Building an oversized shed, or one that violates a required setback or utility easement, without a permit is a code violation under § 15.02.250 and can trigger a recorded notice of noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small shed in Tehama County?
What if my shed is bigger than 120 square feet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
How Tehama County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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