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Tehama County, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Tehama County Code § 7.40.035
No blanket mandate
Penalty applies only at impound
Penalty scale
$35 / $50 / $100
Rescue animals
Must be altered in 30 days

Summary

Unincorporated Tehama County has no blanket spay/neuter mandate, but owners of unaltered dogs or cats that get impounded owe an escalating civil penalty on top of standard impound fees.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Tehama County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

In accordance with Sections 30804.7 and 31751.7 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the owner of any non-spayed or un-neutered dog or cat that is impounded shall be liable for a civil penalty as follows, in addition to any other fees and penalties due under this title:

First occurrence — $35.00; Second occurrence — $50.00; Third and subsequent occurrences — $100.00

Any fines collected under this section shall be deposited to the spay/neuter trust fund.

(Ord. No. 1949, § 15, 10-5-2010)

View official code

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 § 7.40.035, following Food and Agricultural Code Sections 30804.7 and 31751.7, charges the owner of any non-spayed or un-neutered dog or cat that is impounded a civil penalty of $35 for a first occurrence, $50 for a second, and $100 for a third or later occurrence, deposited into the county's spay/neuter trust fund. Separately, licensed animal rescuers must have rescued dogs and cats altered within 30 days of intake under § 7.20.160. Neither applies inside Red Bluff, Corning, or the City of Tehama.

Violations & Fines

Failing to spay or neuter a dog or cat before it is impounded triggers the escalating civil penalty under § 7.40.035; rescuers who miss the 30-day sterilization deadline violate § 7.20.160.

Frequently Asked Questions

Must I spay or neuter my dog or cat in unincorporated Tehama County?
No blanket law requires it, but if your unaltered dog or cat is impounded you owe an escalating civil penalty, $35 first occurrence, $50 second, $100 third and beyond (§7.40.035).
Are animal rescue groups required to alter animals?
Yes: licensed rescuers must have rescued dogs and cats spayed or neutered within 30 days of intake (§7.20.160).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tehama County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsMicrochippingLight RestrictionsBeekeepingSome RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSome RestrictionsExotic PetsSignificant RestrictionsPet LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome Restrictions

All Tehama County rules

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