Environmental Rules in Tehama County, CA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Tehama County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Erosion Control
Any grading in unincorporated Tehama County above set thresholds, cubic yardage, disturbed area, or proximity to a watercourse, requires a county grading permit before work begins.
Tehama County Grading Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 9.43.050
Except as provided in Section 9.43.060, no person shall do, cause, permit, aid, abet, suffer, or furnish equipment or labor for any grading without first obtaining a grading permit in accordance with this chapter. A grading permit may allow for preliminary grading as part of a valid and effective building permit, subdivision construction plan, or other development or land use entitlement. Preli...
Flood Zones
Before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area of unincorporated Tehama County, California, County Code § 15.52.310 requires a development permit from the floodplain administrator.
Tehama County Floodplain Development Permit
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 15.52.310
A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.52.230. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the floodplain administrator and may include, but not be limited to: plans in duplicate drawn to scale showing the nature, location, dimensions, and elevation ...
Boat Dock Permits
In Tehama County's PF Primary Floodplain district, boat ramps and docks need a discretionary use permit from the planning commission; the NR district allows noncommercial boat launching by right.
Boat Dock Use Permits in Tehama County
Significant RestrictionsTehama County Code § 17.42.030(A)(3)
Except as provided in Section 17.42.040, the following uses shall be permitted in a PF district upon securing a use permit: A. ...such buildings and structures...will not be appreciably damaged by flooding...3. Public parks and recreation areas and facilities, including boat ramps, docks, parking areas, picnic tables and fireplaces and private and commercial recreation developments and faciliti...
Defensible Space
New buildings on unincorporated Tehama County parcels of one acre or more must sit at least 30 feet back from property lines and road centers under the county's Fire Safe Regulations defensible-space standard.
Tehama County Defensible Space Building Setback
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 9.14.071
All parcels one acre and larger within the county shall provide a minimum thirty foot setback for buildings and accessory buildings from all property lines and/or the center of a road.B.For parcels less than one acre within the county, TAC shall provide for the same practical effect. (Ord. 1537 § 1(part), 1991) (Ord. No. 2023, §§ 49, 50, 5-3-2016)
Flood Elevation Requirements
In the unincorporated area of Tehama County, California, new and substantially improved homes in mapped flood zones must have their lowest floor built at or above the base flood elevation, with no separate freeboard cushion added on top of that mark.
Tehama County Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsTehama County Code § 15.52.410(C)(1)
Residential construction, new or substantial improvement, shall have the lowest floor, including basement:a.In an A zone, elevated to or above the base flood elevation; said base flood elevation shall be determined by one of the methods in Section 15.52.330(B) of this chapter.b.In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified ...
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