Tehama County, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Retaining walls in unincorporated Tehama County are regulated primarily through the California Building Code administered by the Building & Safety Department, not through a specific section of the zoning ordinance. Under the building code, retaining walls that are not over four feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, are exempt from a building permit — unless the wall supports a surcharge (such as a slope, driveway, or structure loading the wall) or impounds flammable liquids. As a result, a retaining wall taller than four feet, or a shorter wall carrying a surcharge, requires a building permit and typically engineered plans. Where a retaining wall is combined with a fence on top, the building department evaluates the combined height and loading. Retaining walls must also respect zoning setbacks and, in residential districts, any fence on top of the wall counts toward the 6-foot side/rear and 3-foot front-setback limits in Section 17.08.030. Drainage, soil conditions, and proximity to property lines and roadways are reviewed during permitting. Because Tehama County includes hilly and flood-prone terrain, walls near watercourses or in flood zones may face additional review. Confirm requirements with Building & Safety before construction.