Tehama County, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Poultry/rabbit keeping
- Permitted use, A district
- Commercial poultry
- Must be in enclosed structures
- Chicken house setback
- 50 ft front / 10 ft side
- Flocks of 101-2,999 birds
- Need admin permit, Ch. 17.87
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Tehama County only
Summary
Tehama County allows non-commercial poultry and rabbit keeping on rural residential parcels combined with the county's Animal Raising district, but chicken houses must sit back 50 feet from the front lot line.
C. Poultry and rabbit farming; provided, that such operations for commercial purposes shall be confined within enclosed structures, and further provided that poultry farms meet the standards and requirements of Chapter 17.82.
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
In the unincorporated area of Tehama County, the A Animal Raising Combining District permits poultry and rabbit farming outright; commercial operations must be confined within enclosed structures and comply with the county's limited-poultry-operations permit chapter once flock size passes 100 birds. Structures like barns, stables, and chicken houses in an A district must sit at least 50 feet back from the front lot line, 10 feet from any side property line, and 40 feet from any other building on the parcel. This rule applies only outside Red Bluff, Corning, and the City of Tehama, each of which enforces its own municipal code for backyard poultry.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a commercial poultry operation outside an enclosed structure, or building a chicken house closer than the 50-foot front, 10-foot side, or 40-foot building setback, is a zoning violation Tehama County code enforcement can cite and order corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep backyard chickens on my property in unincorporated Tehama County?
Does this rule apply if I live in Red Bluff or Corning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
How Tehama County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.