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Tehama County, CA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

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

Key Facts

Inspection stages
5: foundation, slab, frame, lath, final
Notice required
1 working day before inspection
Enforcing agency
Tehama County Building Official
Reinspection
Fee charged per fee schedule

Summary

Tehama County requires five staged inspections, foundation, slab or under-floor, framing, lath/wallboard, and final, before a building permit closes, and each stage must be approved before work is covered up.

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.

Foundation Inspection. To be made after excavations for footings are completed and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. All materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except when concrete ready-mixed in accordance with UBC Standards No. 19-3, the concrete need not be on the job. Where the foundation is to be constructed of approved treated wood, additional inspections may be required by the building official.2.Concrete Slab or Under-Floor Inspection. To be made after all in-slab or under-floor building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the sub floor.3.Frame Inspection. To be made after the roof, all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and all pipes, chimneys and vents are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, and heating wires, pipes, and ducts are installed.4.Lath and/or Wallboard Inspection. To be made after all lathing and wallboard, interior and exterior, is in place but before any plastering is applied or before wallboard joints and fasteners are taped and finished.5.Final Inspection. To be made after finish grading and the building is completed and ready for occupancy.

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 § 15.02.370 sets five required inspection stages: foundation (after footing excavation and rebar placement), concrete slab or under-floor (before concrete or subfloor goes down), frame (once roof, framing, and rough electrical/plumbing/HVAC are installed), lath/wallboard (before plaster or taping), and final (when the building is complete and ready for occupancy). Work cannot proceed past a stage, and framing or rebar cannot be covered, until the building official approves it. Inspection requests must be filed at least one working day ahead. This covers unincorporated county construction only. Red Bluff, Corning, and the City of Tehama run their own building departments.

Violations & Fines

Covering framing or reinforcing steel before it is inspected, or occupying a building before final inspection, violates § 15.02.370 and can trigger a recorded notice of noncompliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cover framing before it's inspected?
No. Tehama County Code bars covering reinforcing steel or structural framework until the building official has approved it (§15.02.370(E)).
How much notice does the inspector need?
The building official may require inspection requests at least one working day before the desired inspection (§15.02.370(C)).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tehama County

All Tehama County rules

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