Moving to Redding, CA? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Redding, California may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 100 tracked ordinances across 29 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Accessory Structures

Shed Rules: Redding Municipal Code Section 18.43.020 regulates residential accessory structures. One-story sheds up to 120 sq ft are permit-exempt, and lots are limited to two detached structures totaling no more than 1,500 sq ft without a Site Development Permit..

Also covered: ADU Impact Fees (permissive), ADU Rules (permissive), Garage Conversions (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Redding for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Redding does not have a stand-alone amplified-sound permit chapter. Amplified music is covered by the general nuisance rule in RMC 18.40.100(B) plus the Schedule 18.40.100-A decibel table.

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate), Industrial Noise (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Redding for details.

Public Conduct

Loud Party Ordinance: Loud parties in Redding are reached through two tracks. The noise-disturbance side runs through RMC 18.40.100 plus California Penal Code 415.

Also covered: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Redding for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Vacant lots and buildings in Redding are governed by Redding Municipal Code Chapter 1.15 (Abatement of Properties, Buildings, and Conditions), which treats overgrown weeds, dead vegetation, accumulated debris, and unsecured structures as public nuisances subject to abatement at the owner's expense. California Government Code §38773 separately authorizes any city to declare weeds a public nuisance and recover abatement costs as a special tax-roll assessment.

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Property Blight (strict), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Redding for details.

Trash & Recycling

Illegal Dumping: Illegal dumping in Redding is prosecuted under California Penal Code §374.3 (mandatory $250–$1,000 fine for a first offense; up to $3,000 third) and the Shasta County District Attorney's Environmental Crimes Unit. Commercial-quantity dumping is a misdemeanor under §374.3(h) with up to six months jail and $1,000–$3,000 fines (up to $10,000 for repeat commercial offenders).

Also covered: Yard Waste Collection (strict), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Redding for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Redding short-term rentals collect a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax under Redding Municipal Code Chapter 4.12 plus a 2% Tourism Marketing Business Improvement District assessment (Resolution 2015-066) for a combined 12% on every stay under 30 days. RMC 18.43.180 requires every host to open a TOT account with the Redding Finance Department before listing.

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Noise Rules (moderate), Parking Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Redding for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Redding enforces a juvenile curfew under Title 9 of the Redding Municipal Code, the city's Public Peace, Morals and Welfare title. Minors under 18 are generally prohibited from being in public places during late-night hours unless accompanied by a parent, traveling to or from work, or attending a supervised activity.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Open burning of vegetation, yard waste, or rubbish inside Redding city limits is generally prohibited under Redding Municipal Code Chapter 9.36 and the California Fire Code adopted through Title 16. Any burning in unincorporated Shasta County requires a CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit burn permit, must be on a declared burn day by Shasta County Air Quality Management District, and is suspended during fire-season closures and Red Flag Warnings..

Also covered: Propane Storage (moderate), Brush Clearance (strict), Fire Pit Rules (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Redding for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Secondhand Dealers: Redding secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers are regulated primarily under California Business and Professions Code Chapter 9 (§§21625-21647) and the Financial Code's pawnbroker provisions. Dealers must obtain a state license through the Redding Police Department under BPC §21641, report every transaction to the California Pawn & Secondhand Dealer System (CAPSS) within one business day, and hold purchased property for 30 days before resale.

Also covered: Tobacco Retail License (strict). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Redding for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: Redding has no local just-cause ordinance, so the statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, Civil Code §1946.2) controls. After 12 months of continuous occupancy, a landlord may terminate tenancy only for at-fault cause (non-payment, breach, nuisance) or no-fault cause (owner move-in, withdrawal from market, substantial remodel, government order).

Also covered: Security Deposit Rules (moderate), Rental Registration (permissive), Rental Inspection Programs (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Redding for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Political signs in Redding are protected speech under the First Amendment and must be regulated content-neutrally under Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Hotels, motels, and other transient lodging in Redding must collect a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax under Redding Municipal Code Chapter 4.12, plus a 2% Tourism Marketing Business Improvement District assessment under Resolution 2015-066, for a combined 12% on every stay under 30 days. The tax is administered by the Redding Finance Department, with returns and remittance on a monthly or quarterly schedule set at registration..

Building Safety

Fire Sprinkler Requirements: Redding requires automatic fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses under California Residential Code Section R313, adopted through Title 16 of the Redding Municipal Code, designed and installed to NFPA 13D as adopted in California. Multifamily and commercial buildings use NFPA 13R or NFPA 13.

Also covered: Pest Control (moderate), Lead Paint (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Redding for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Redding prohibits parking of recreational vehicles, motorhomes, camping trailers, toy haulers, boats, and trailers anywhere in the front yard setback of a residence — including the driveway in front of a front-facing garage — under the Redding Municipal Code Title 18 Zoning Ordinance. Living in an RV on private property, running a generator, and connecting electric, water, or sewer hookups outside an approved RV park are also prohibited.

Also covered: Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Redding for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Redding Zoning Ordinance Section 18.43.040(I) provides that the keeping of exotic or wild animals may be permitted only subject to issuance of a site development permit and any required California Fish and Wildlife permits. California Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 671 separately classifies a wide range of species as restricted and requires a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) before they may be imported, transported, or possessed in California — many common exotics (ferrets, hedgehogs, many primates, large carnivores) are prohibited or restricted under state law..

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Redding for details.

Permit Requirements

Renovation Permits: Renovation and remodel work in Redding requires building, electrical, plumbing, and/or mechanical permits issued by the Redding Building Division under Title 16 of the Redding Municipal Code (which adopts the 2022 California Building Standards Codes). Permits are processed through the City's Development Services Department; the Building Division can be reached at (530) 225-4013..

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Building setbacks in Redding are set by the Zoning Ordinance (Redding Municipal Code Title 18), with site-development regulations for the principal residential districts in RMC §18.31.030. The three primary residential districts are RE (Residential Estate), RS (Residential Single-Family), and RM (Residential Multiple-Family).

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Redding for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Tree removal in the City of Redding is regulated by Chapter 18.45 (Tree Management) of the Redding Municipal Code, originally adopted in 1990 and updated in 2006, with a 2023 Tree Management Ordinance Update Committee process. No tree exceeding 6 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) on any developed or undeveloped/vacant parcel within the city may be destroyed, killed, or removed without a tree-removal permit, subject to limited exemptions (RMC §18.45.040) and discretionary-permit provisions (RMC §18.45.070)..

Also covered: Tree Trimming (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Weed Ordinances (strict). See the full landscaping rules guide for Redding for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency Limits: Redding Zoning Ordinance Section 18.17.020(D) caps residential garage and yard sales at three (3) sales in any twelve-month period, with each sale not exceeding three (3) consecutive days. Sales in excess of that limit are prohibited in all residential zones — no temporary use permit can be issued to exceed the cap on residential property.

Also covered: Garage Sale Permits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Redding for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Redding regulates floodplain development through the 'FP' Floodplain Overlay District in Zoning Code Chapter 18.51, which adopts by reference the FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Shasta County and Incorporated Areas dated December 16, 2021 plus the City's Citywide Storm Drain Master Plan. Section 18.51.080 requires the lowest floor of new or substantially-improved residential structures in Zones A, AE, AO, or A1-30 to sit at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation.

Also covered: Stormwater Management (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Redding for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Tree-removal permits in Redding are issued by Development Services - Planning under RMC Chapter 18.45 (Tree Management). Any tree exceeding 6 inches DBH on developed or undeveloped property within the City requires a permit before being destroyed, killed, or removed (RMC §18.45.030), with limited exemptions under §18.45.040 (dead, dying, hazardous, and certain fruit/orchard species) and a discretionary path for development-related removals under §18.45.070.

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Redding for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Redding requires every outdoor residential pool to be enclosed by a permanent barrier at least 60 inches (5 feet) tall, with a maximum 2-inch bottom clearance, openings that cannot pass a 4-inch sphere, and self-closing/self-latching gates that swing away from the pool with latch hardware at least 60 inches above ground. The rules come from California Health & Safety Code §115921-115929 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act), California Building Code Appendix AX, and local provisions at RMC §18.40.160 / §18.43.02(C), as compiled in the City's published Residential Swimming Pools and Spas Homeowners Guide..

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Approved Materials (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Redding for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Under Redding Municipal Code §18.43.110, a home occupation is limited to a single on-site nonilluminated sign not exceeding four square feet. The sign must comply with Chapter 18.42 (Signs).

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Redding for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Redding pool owners must comply with two stacked requirements. First, an outdoor pool barrier per RMC and CBC Appendix AX: 60 inches tall, 4-inch sphere max opening, 2-inch bottom gap (4 inches if mounted on aboveground pool wall), self-closing/self-latching gate opening away from the pool.

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Redding for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Small residential rooftop solar PV systems receive expedited, streamlined review under California AB 2188 (Cal. Gov.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Redding adopts the California Fire Code through RMC Title 9. CFC §308.1.4 prohibits charcoal grills and large-cylinder gas grills on combustible balconies in buildings with three or more dwelling units.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Redding does not regulate solicitors through a content-based permit chapter. Door-to-door solicitors, peddlers, and handbill distributors must instead obtain a City business license through the City Clerk before working in Redding.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks in Redding need a Mobile Food Facility (MFF) permit from Shasta County Environmental Health under the California Retail Food Code (CalCode, Health & Safety Code §113700 et seq.), a Redding Business License under RMC Chapter 6.02, a California seller's permit, and zoning compliance for each operating location. Sidewalk food vending is protected statewide by SB 946 (the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act) at Government Code §51036 et seq..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Redding for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drone operation in Redding is governed primarily by federal FAA rules — 14 CFR Part 107 for commercial flight and 49 U.S.C. §44809 for recreational flight — which preempt most local airspace regulation.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Redding, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Redding's city hall or code enforcement office.