Tehama County, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Tehama County only
- Native plants
- Encouraged, not mandatory
- Tree planting
- Encouraged where chapter allows
- Selection standard
- Fit site climate, geology, topography
Summary
Tehama County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance directs designers to pick plants suited to the site's climate and encourages protecting native species and planting trees in qualifying new and rehabilitated landscapes.
Plants shall be selected appropriately based upon their adaptability to the climatic, geologic, and topographical conditions of the site. Protection and preservation of native species and natural areas is encouraged. The planting of trees is encouraged wherever it is consistent with the other provisions of this chapter.
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
Under Chapter 17.85, the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, landscape design plans for qualifying new and rehabilitated projects in the unincorporated area of Tehama County, the rule does not reach Red Bluff, Corning or the City of Tehama, must select plants appropriate to the site's climatic, geologic and topographic conditions. The code states that 'protection and preservation of native species and natural areas is encouraged' and that tree planting 'is encouraged wherever it is consistent with the other provisions of this chapter.' Native plants are not mandated, but no county rule restricts or penalizes a landowner for choosing them.
Violations & Fines
There is no penalty tied to native-plant use itself, the clause is an encouragement, not a mandate, but landscape plans that skip the water-budget and hydrozone grouping requirements elsewhere in Chapter 17.85 can be rejected at plan check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must I use native plants in Tehama County?
Are landscaping rules different in Red Bluff or Corning?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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