Tehama County, CA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 9.05.050(D)(1)
- Lot size threshold
- 2 acres or smaller
- Requirement
- firebreak over entire parcel
- Larger unimproved lots
- 30-ft perimeter firebreak instead
- Scope
- unincorporated Tehama County only
Summary
In unincorporated Tehama County, California, a vacant urban parcel of two acres or less must be firebroken across its entire area: there's no partial-clearance option for undeveloped land.
On parcels of urban lands that are two acres in size or smaller and unimproved with structures, a firebreak shall be required over the entire area of the parcel.2.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 treats unimproved lots differently from built ones. Under § 9.05.050(D)(1), any urban-zoned parcel two acres or smaller with no structures on it must maintain a firebreak covering the entire parcel, not just its edges. Larger unimproved lots next to improved neighbors instead get a 30-foot perimeter firebreak under (D)(2). Failing to maintain the required firebreak makes the property a declared public nuisance the county can abate and bill back to the owner, including administrative costs. This rule reaches only the unincorporated area of Tehama County; it does not apply inside Red Bluff, Corning, or the City of Tehama.
Violations & Fines
Failure to maintain the required firebreak is a public nuisance under § 9.05.030; the county may abate it and recover abatement plus administrative costs from the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an empty lot in unincorporated Tehama County need to be fully cleared?
What about a larger vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California property maintenance overview
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