Animal Ordinances in Tehama County, CA (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Tehama County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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.
Backyard Poultry Rules, Tehama County CA
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 17.48.020(C)
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.
Dog Leash Laws
In unincorporated Tehama County, California a dog may not run at large off its owner's property; on a leash and under physical control is the exception that keeps an owner compliant.
Tehama County Dogs-at-Large Ban
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 7.25.050
No person shall permit a dog to run at large from private property owned by the owner of such dog, or from private property to which such owner has a right of possession, except in the following situations: A.When the dog is assisting a law enforcement officer in the performance of police work;B.When the dog is assisting a duly authorized person in an official search and rescue operation;C.W...
Breed Restrictions
Unincorporated Tehama County has no breed-specific dog ordinance: dogs are declared potentially dangerous or vicious individually, through a Superior Court process, based on documented behavior rather than breed.
Tehama County Dangerous Dog Rules, Not Breed Bans
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 7.30.010
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a program for the control of potentially dangerous and vicious dogs within the unincorporated area of the county that incorporates Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 31601) of Division 14 of the Food and Agricultural Code. This chapter does not apply to humane society shelters, the county animal shelter, or veterinarians, or to dogs while utilized by ...
Beekeeping
In unincorporated Tehama County, California, no apiary may sit within 300 feet of a neighboring dwelling or within 100 feet of a public road right-of-way without the county Agricultural Commissioner's approval, with limited exceptions.
Tehama County Apiary Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 7.07.060(A)
No person shall place or keep any apiary or cause or allow any apiary to remain closer than three hundred feet to any house or building used as a dwelling, other than a house or building owned or possessed by that person.
Exotic Pets
In unincorporated Tehama County, keeping a state-listed exotic animal is illegal unless the owner can prove valid federal and state fish-and-wildlife permits: the county layers its own proof requirement on top of California's prohibited-species rules.
Exotic Pet Permit Rule, Tehama County CA
Significant RestrictionsTehama County Code § 7.25.110
No owner of any exotic animal shall maintain such animal without proof of proper federal and state permits, inspections and other required approvals.
Pet Limits
Unincorporated Tehama County, California caps private dog ownership at five dogs over four months old per lot; keeping more requires a licensed kennel under the county's kennel chapter.
Tehama County Household Dog Limit
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 7.08.130
No person shall own or keep more than five dogs over the age of four months on any lot or premises as a private dog owner. Person(s) keeping or owning more than five dogs over four months of age on any lot or premises shall have such lot or premises designated and licensed as a kennel, as defined in Chapter 7.20 of this Code.
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
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.
Unaltered Pet Impound Fines, Tehama County
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 7.40.035
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 un...
Microchipping
Tehama County, California requires every dog over four months in a licensed kennel to carry permanent ID, a tattoo or microchip, recorded on its rabies certificate; boarding kennels are exempt.
Tehama County Kennel Dog ID Rule
Light RestrictionsTehama County Code § 7.20.110
Kennels shall have each dog over the age of four months marked with a means of permanent, positive identification (such as a tattoo or micro-chip) and that identification mark or number shall be also recorded on that dog's current rabies vaccination certificate. (Boarding kennels shall be exempt from this requirement.)
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