Tehama County, CA Fire Regulations: Brush Clearance (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing officer
- Fire agency or code enforcement officer
- Small unimproved urban lots
- Firebreak over entire parcel
- 2-10 acre unimproved urban lots
- 30-foot firebreak on lines
- Rural/agricultural lands
- Per PRC § 4291, Gov. Code § 51182
- Uncleared hazard
- County abates and bills owner
Summary
Tehama County requires unincorporated-area property owners to keep weeds, grass, and brush from becoming a fire hazard and to maintain firebreaks, with a specific 30-foot firebreak rule for smaller unimproved lots next to developed parcels.
On parcels of urban lands that are between two and ten acres in size and unimproved with structures, and where adjacent parcels are improved with structures firebreaks shall be required adjacent to and along all parcel lines for a width of thirty feet.3.On parcels of urban lands that are improved with structures or more than ten acres the firebreak requirements shall be the same as specified in subsection B. above. (Ord. No. 2122, § 3.C., 6-21-2022)
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 Hazard Abatement Ordinance (Ch. 9.05) makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant anywhere in the unincorporated county to let weeds, grass, rank growth, shrubs, trees, or trimmings accumulate into a fire hazard without maintaining the required firebreak. Rural and agricultural land firebreaks follow state Public Resources Code § 4291 and Government Code § 51182. On smaller unimproved urban parcels, the county rule is more specific: parcels two acres or under need a firebreak over the whole lot, and parcels between two and ten acres next to built parcels need a 30-foot firebreak along the property lines.
Violations & Fines
An unmaintained fire hazard is a public nuisance the county can abate itself and bill to the owner, including administrative costs and attorney's fees, and the county can refuse to issue permits until it's cleared.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don't clear brush on my unincorporated parcel?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California fire regulations overview
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