Tehama County, CA Environmental Rules: Defensible Space (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum setback
- 30 feet from property lines
- Applies to
- Parcels one acre or larger
- Smaller parcels
- TAC sets equivalent standard
- Measured
- Along the ground
- Distinct from
- CAL FIRE's PRC § 4291 rule
Summary
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.
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)
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's Fire Safe Regulations require new buildings and accessory buildings on unincorporated parcels one acre or larger to sit back at least 30 feet from every property line and from the center of any road, creating a defensible perimeter for wildfire protection. On parcels smaller than one acre, the county's Technical Advisory Committee sets an equivalent standard instead of the flat 30-foot figure, and distances are measured along the ground. This is a county building-setback rule tied to new construction: it's separate from CAL FIRE's own Public Resources Code § 4291 vegetation-clearance duties around existing homes in the State Responsibility Area.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required setback violates the Fire Safe Regulations and can block permit approval; owners may request a TAC exception if an alternative provides the same practical wildfire protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a new building be from my property line in unincorporated Tehama County?
Is this the same as CAL FIRE's defensible space rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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