9 rules for unincorporated Tehama County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Tehama County sets no decorative lawn-height limit. Tall grass and weeds are regulated as a fire hazard and nuisance under the County's Fire Hazard Abatement chapter and, in fire-prone areas, by state defensible-space law (PRC 4291), under which annual grasses must be kept to four inches.
Unincorporated Tehama County has no private tree-pruning permit. Owners may trim their own trees. Trimming becomes regulated mainly for wildfire defensible space under state law (PRC 4291) and the County's Fire Safe Regulations, and where vegetation obstructs a public road or becomes a nuisance.
Unincorporated Tehama County has no general tree-removal permit ordinance and, as of its 2009–2029 General Plan, only voluntary oak-woodland measures rather than a mandatory oak ordinance. Owners may generally remove trees on their own land. Removal tied to a development project or grading is the main exception.
Unincorporated Tehama County abates weeds, dry grass, brush and combustible debris through its Fire Hazard Abatement chapter (Code Ch. 9.05), backed by the Fire Safe Regulations (Ch. 9.14) and statewide defensible-space law (PRC 4291). The focus is wildfire fuel reduction, not lawn appearance.
Unincorporated Tehama County has no countywide outdoor-watering schedule ordinance; its General Plan encourages conservation and defers to state agencies. Statewide rules apply: California's permanent water-waste prohibitions (State Water Board) ban wasteful uses like watering during/after rain and hosing pavement.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged. California's Rainwater Capture Act (Water Code §10574) lets landowners install rain barrels for outdoor non-potable use without a local permit. Unincorporated Tehama County has no ordinance restricting residential rain barrels; larger or plumbed systems may need building review.
Native and drought-tolerant landscaping is encouraged, not restricted. Tehama County's General Plan promotes native plants in its oak-woodland and restoration policies, and its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Code Ch. 17.85) favors climate-adapted plants. State law also bars HOAs and local governments from blocking lawn-to-native conversions.
Unincorporated Tehama County has no ordinance banning or specifically regulating residential artificial turf. There is no county lawn-material rule. Synthetic turf is treated like other landscaping; large projects must still meet the County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and stormwater/runoff standards.
Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged. California's SB 1383 organics-recycling law requires jurisdictions to provide organic-waste collection and divert food and yard waste from landfills; Tehama County implements this through its solid-waste programs. Home compost piles must avoid creating a vector or fire-hazard nuisance.
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