Tehama County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Tehama County does not use one universal setback; each zoning district in Title 17 sets its own yard requirements, so the exact distances depend on a parcel's zone. In the R-1 One-Family Residence District, Section 17.16.040 requires a 'minimum front yard, fifty feet from the centerline of roadway or twenty feet from the property line, whichever is greater'; 'side yards shall total not less than twenty percent of the lot width, and no side yard may be less than six feet'; and a 'minimum rear yard, twenty feet.' In the AG-1 Agricultural/Upland District, Section 17.10.040 sets the same 50-foot-from-centerline-or-20-foot front yard and 20-foot rear yard, but requires 'minimum side yards, ten feet; six feet on non-conforming parcels of ten acres or less.' General rules in Section 17.08.030 add that a primary structure may not occupy a required yard, accessory porches and stairways may project up to six feet into front or rear yards, and where a dwelling's front or rear faces a side lot line it must be at least ten feet from that line. Legally non-conforming parcels may receive a setback adjustment from the Planning Director. Because measurement from the road centerline can produce a larger setback than the property-line measurement on narrow roads, owners should confirm the controlling distance with Planning before designing. Variances are available under Chapter 17.72.